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THE 


Early  Records  of  Groton, 


MA  SSACH  USE  T  TS. 


1662-1707. 


EDITED     BY 


SAMUEL   A.   GREEN,    M.D. 


GROTON 

18S0. 


The  paper  on  which  this  edition  of  the  "  Early  Records  of 
G>vton,^^  —  knozan  as  '"'•The  Indian  Roll,^''  —  is  printed  was  made  in 
that  town  at  the  '■'■  Hollingsworth  Paper-Mills^''  situated  in  a  part 
of  the  Nashua  Valley  which  is  full  of  Indian  associations  a?id 
traditions. 


TmiN    WlI.sON   &    Si'N,    Camtridge. 


TO 

die  jHeittor^ 


OF 


RICHARD    SAWTELL, 
JAMES    FISKE, 
WILLLVM   LOXGLEY, 
JOHN   PAGE, 
RICHARD    BLOOD, 
JOHN   MORSE, 
JAMES    PARKER, 


JONATHAN   MORSE, 
JOSIAII    PARKER, 
JONAS    PRESCOTT, 
WILLIAINI    LONGLEV,  Jr. 
JAMES    PLANCHARD, 
THOMAS   TARBELL,  and 
JOSEPH    LAKIX, 


^\)t  ^hst  ^anttmx   STofon  Ckriis   of   6roton, 


OF   WHOM    THREE    DIED   WHILE    IX    OFFICE, 


T///S    COPY   OF    THEIR    RECORDS    IS    IXSCRIBED 


Bv   THE    EDITOR. 


INTRODUCTION. 


''  I  ^HE  town  meeting  is  an  outgrowth  of  New-England  life. 
-*•  It  had  its  origin  with  the  first  settlers,  and  has  been 
kept  up  by  their  successors.  Each  town  was  incorporated, 
and  the  freemen  came  together  in  public  meeting  to  discuss 
and  settle  questions  of  general  interest.  They  also  chose 
town  officers,  to  whom  was  delegated  the  power  to  manage 
their  civil  affairs.  The  proceedings  at  these  meetings  furnish 
the  basis  of  our  political  history,  and  they  give  us  the  best 
insight  of  the  forces  that  developed  local  self-government. 

The  following  records  of  the  town  of  Groton  are  the  earliest 
extant,  and  were  probably  the  first  made  of  any  meeting  held 
within  its  limits.  They  are  copied  from  the  only  book  of 
records  kept  during  the  Indian  wars,  and  are  now  printed  in 
accordance  with  a  vote  of  the  town.  From  the  fact  that  the 
book  was  for  awhile  preserved  rolled  up,  it  acquired  the  name 
of  "The  Indian  Roll."  It  appears  to  have  been  lost  at  one 
time,  but  was  subsequently  found  ;  and,  when  first  seen  by 
Mr.  Butler,  according  to  his  History,  page  33,  the  wrapper 
containing  it  bore  this  inscription  :  — 

"  Tlie  Indian  Roll, 
Found  at  Dea.  Lawrence's,  P^eb.  21,  1807." 

]\lajor  Samuel  Lawrence  was  the  town  clerk  from  the  year 
1796  to  1798,  and  this  book  had  probably  been  overlooked 
when  the  other  records  were  turned  over  to  his  successor. 
The  cover  has  long  since  been  lost ;  the  lea\-es  are  loose  and 
much  worn,  and  a  few  of  them  are  missing.  The  records 
extend  from  the  year   1662  to   1707,  and  contain  many  inter- 


INTRODUCTION. 


esting  facts  in  regard  to  the  town.  They  include  the  names 
of  families  that  have  been  in  the  neighborhood  through  many 
generations,  even  to  the  present  day. 

The  pages  of  the  record-book  are  not  numbered,  though 
there  are  traces  of  numbering  in  the  part  containing  the 
Land-grants.  The  entries  of  the  proceedings  are  made  fre- 
quently out  of  place,  and  sometimes  the  record  of  one  meeting 
is  found  scattered  about,  written  on  the  blank  spaces  of  several 
leaves.  These  detached  fragments  may  be'  recognized  from 
the  date  as  belonging  to  the  same  meeting,  and  in  this  printed 
copy  such  fragments  have  been  brought  together.  The  paging 
of  the  early  part  of  the  record-book  is  indicated  by  the  large 
figures  enclosed  within  brackets.  This,  however,  has  not  been 
deemed  practicable  later  than  June,  1681,  on  account  of  the 
want  of  chronological  arrangement. 

The  Land-grants  are  given  at  the  end  of  this  volume,  and 
for  the  most  part  are  arranged  chronologically  ;  but  in  some 
instances  they  are  not  dated.  In  these  cases,  the  name  of 
the  town  clerk  who  recorded  them  is  given,  with  his  term  of 
service  ;  and  the  date  can  be  approximated  near  enough  for 
practical  purposes.  In  printing  .them,  the  capitalization  and 
punctuation  have  been  made  to  conform  to  modern  usage,  as 
it  is  thought  that  in  this  way  the  different  localities  might  be 
more  easily  identified  ;  but  the  spelling  remains  unchanged. 

The  first  town  clerk  was  Richard  Sawtell,  an  original  pro- 
prietor of  Groton  and  the  possessor  of  a  twenty-acre  right. 
He  came  from  Watertown,  where  he  was  living  as  early  as  the 
year  1636.  He  wrote  a  good  hand  for  his  day,  and  held 
the  office  during  three  years.  His  house-lot  was  situated  on 
the  west  side  of  James's  Brook,  just  below  the  monument 
marking  the  birth-place  of  Colonel  Prescott.  He  died  Au- 
gust 21,  1694,  at  Watertown,  where  he  went,  doubtless  in  the 
spring  of  1676,  when  Groton  was  burned  by  the  Indians. 
In  his  will,  dated  May  16,  1692,  he  mentions  his  wife,  Eliza- 
beth,—  who  died  October  18,  1694, —  and  a  large  number  of 
children  and  iirandchildrcn. 


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l'\u-~si)iiili-  of  a  fart  ,'f  ilir  first  piV^c,  sl'r^htly  yiihiccil,  of  the 
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EARLY     RECORDS 


OF 


GROTON,     MASSACHUSETTS. 


o>Kc 


ATT  a  generall  towne  meet[ing,]  June.  23.  1662. 
It  was  agreed  vppon  that  the  house  for  Ihe  Minister  should 
be  set  vppon  the  place  where  it  is  now  framinge. 

Also  that  the  meetinge  house  shall  be  sett  vpon  the  right  hand 
of  the  path  by  a  small  whit  Oak,  marked  at  the  souwest  side  with 
two  notches  &  a  blaze 


At  a  genenerall  Towne  meeting  December,  the  twenty  fourth  it  is 
agreed  that  Richard  Sawtell  being  Chosen  to  be  the  Towne  Clark 
shall  have  six  penc  for  Recording  &  giving  a  Transcript  of  every 
twenty  Acars  of  land  to  the  severall  propriators 

Decem  :  24.  At  a  generall  Towne  meeting  its  agreed  that  all  the 
lands  that  are  or  here  after  shall  be  granted  shall  be  recorded  with 
these  expressions  following,  viz  :  To  such  a  one  or  such  a  one  &c : 
Ten  or ;  Twenty  Acars  so  &  so  bounded  be  it  estemed  more  or 
lesse 

Decem.  24  Its  agreed  by  the  Towne  at  a  generall  meeting  That 
the  wood  &  Timber  that  is  in  the  hie-way  against  any  mans  house 
shall  be  his  provided  that  he  shall  not  [upon]  the  penalty  of  paying 
halfe  a  Crown  a  tree  f^iile  any  trees  vpon  the  Com[mon]  except  it 
apearetli  they  have  not  amon[gst]  these  trees  such  tree  or  trees  as 
will  suit  their  necessitie  provided  also  that  when  they  falle  they 
shall  not  let  lie  to  the  prejuduice  of  the  Towne  or  any  or  any  one 


EARLY   RECORDS    OF 


of  the  inhabitants  by  hindering  the  pass[age]  of  Carts  or  Horses 
&c  vpon  the  penalty  of  halfe  a  Crowne  if  vpon  six  dayes  warning 
they  shall  neglect  (within  the  said  tim  of  warning.)  to  cleare  the 
way  for  full  &  free  passage 

Liberty  is  granted  to  Timothy  Allen  to  set  his  House  vpon  a 
knole  with  out  side  of  his  fenc  &  land  is  granted  him  there  unto 
not  exceeding  an  Acar 

Decern.  24  It  is  agreed  that  Deacon  James  Parker  James  Knop 
&  John  Page  shall  lay  out  acording  to  their  discretion  the  Towne 
hie  way  &  the  land  which  any  inhabitant  wanLts]  of  his  grant 

[Decejm  24  Deacon  James  Parker  John  Lawr[ence,  Wm.] 
Martin  Ric  :  Blood  &  James  fh[ske  are]  chosen  Selectmen  for  this 
[year  &]  are  to  draw  vp  som  direction  [s  for  the]  Towne  a  ...  [1] 

\V",'  Lakin  Ralph  Reed.  Joh.  Page  &  Joh  Nuttin  are  chosen  Sur- 
veyors of  the  hie  wayes.  this  year,  decern.  24.  (6[2.] 

At  a  generall  Towne  meeting.  March  18.  1663.  It  was  general[ly] 
agreed,  as  folloeth 

first.  That  M-  Millar  is  by  the  Consent  of  the  Towne  ma[ni]- 
fested  by  vote  to  be  desired  if  God  moue  his  hart  there  unto  to 
continve  still  with  vs  for  our  further  edificat[ion.]  Richard  Blood 
desents  from  this  in  regard  of  the  time  of  o''  desiring  him.  w*^  he 
would  have  to  be  after  the  gen  :  Court. 

2'y  That  ]\n  Miller  shall  haue  a  Twenty  Acar  lot  layd  out  to  him 
acording  to  the  Townes  grant  to  him 

Thomas.  Tarbole.  Seniol^  vpon  his  request  was  granted  by  the 
Towne  to  haue  a  knole  of  vpland  containing  about  an  Acar  towards 
ihe  vper  end  of  Broad  Medow  w"  is  thought  advantagious  to  him 
for  the  fencing  of  his  medow 

[Ju]ne  21  [i6]63  Its  agreed  by  the  Towne  tSc  manifested  by  vote 
that  M'  W'illard  if  he  accept  of  it  shall  be  their  minester  as  long  as 
he  liues  w"  M'  Willard  accepts  Except  a  manifest  providenc  of  God 

a[)ears  to  take  him  off 

These  persons  folloing  doe  desent  from  this  former  vot.  Rich- 
ard. Sawtell.  Samuel!  \\'oods.  James  Parker :  John  Nutting  James 
iTiske 

Its  agreed  by  the  major  part  of  the  Towne  that  M'  Willard  shall 
haue  their  interest  in  the  house  iS:.  lands  that  was  devoted  by  the 
Towne  for  the  niinestry  suckccssively.  [jrovided  they  may  nieete  in 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS. 


the  house  on  the  lords  day  &.  vpon  other  ocasions  of  the  Towne  on 
metings.     And  these  persons  fifollowing  desent  from  their  act 

James  Parker  Ric.  Sawtell  WiUia'"  Longley  John  nutting  Tho. 
Tarbole.  Jun. 

Richard  Blood  and  John  Clary  att  present 

James  ffiske.  John  longly.  Joh  laran[ce,]  Joseph  laranc     [2] 

\_Dafe  torn  off.'] 
...  to  excercise  am  ...  all  Edification  in  the  ways  .  .  .  glory 
&  o'  owne  everlasting  goo  .  .  .  vs  And  further  desiring  y*"  Lord 
to  .  .  .  what  hath  been  herein  any  way  ofif[ensive]  vnto  him  and  to 
help  euery  one  of  vs  to  forg[et]  &:  forgiue  what  hath  been  any  way 
offensiue  [to]  each  other  as  we  desire  the  Lord  to  forgiue  vs 

[Sep.]  lo  I :  It  is  agreed  by  y*  Consent  of  the  Towne  &  mani- 
fested by  vote  that  -\L  Willard  shall  haue  for  this  year  forty  pounds 
and  if  God  be  i)leased  so  to  despose  of  his  &:  our  hearts  to  continue 
together  after  the  expiration  of  the  yeare  (w[e]  hope)  by  o'  aproving 
of  him  &  he  of  vs  we  shall  we  shall  be  willing  to  ad  vnto  his  main- 
tenanc  as  [Cod]  shall  blesse  vs.  expecting  allso  that  he  shall  render 
vnto  our  pouerty  if  God  shall  please  to  deny  vs  a  blessing  vpon  our 
labours 

2.  It  is  agreed  &  voted  his  yeare  shall  begin  the  first  day  of  July 
last  past 

Sep.  2  1  63  It  is  agreed  by  y*"  Towne  w'''  John  Xuttin  iSc  voted 
that  he  the  said  John  shall  keepe  cleane  the  meeting  house  tliis 
ye[ar]  or  cause  it  to  be  kept  cleene  &  for  his  labour  he  is  to  h[ave] 
fourteen  shillings 

Xovem  I.  (63")  with  the  consent  of  Anthony  Pierce  its  granted 
by  the  Tow[n]  that  his  son  Daniell  Pierce  shall  haue  the  one  halfe 
of  his  said  ffathers  deuission  of  land  viz.  ten  Acars  of  his  H[ouse] 
lot  on  that  side  lying  next  Ralph  Reeds  &  ten  of  .  .  .  seurall 
percells  whereof  licth  in  Broade  medow.  Halfe-moone  medow. 
&  the  South  medow  and  the  rem[ainder]  of  his  said  fathers 
IIous  lot  to  be  rcstTued  and  added  to  the  said  Daniell  in  his  next 
dcuision  if  so  iniRh  falle  to  hi[in]  \'  if  it  proue  lesse  then  liis  share 
he  IS  to  haue  it  made  \p  [some]\vheie  else  at  the  Towns  clescresion 
And  hereby  it  is  [dc]clared  that  the  said  Anthony  is  no  propri- 
ator   in    Groton  yet  if  (iod  in  piouidenc  shall  make  way  for  him  & 


lO  EARLY   RECORDS    OF 

mov  h[is]  heart  to  com  &  reside  with  vs  the  towne  doth  promise 
...  to  acomadate  him  as  conveniently  as  they  can 

[Novem.]  30  (63)  John  Mosse  of  Ipswitch  is  accepted  by 
the  Towne  to  pay  the  alotment  of  John  Lawranc  Junif 

Its  agreed  that  when  all  men  hav  their  full  allowan  of  medow 
The  residue  shall  be  devided  to  the  p''sent  inhabitants  by  lot  acord- 
ing  to  every  mans  proportion 

By  the  Towne  its  joyntly  agreed  &  manifested  by  vote  That  every 
man  of  this  Town  shall  bring  a  note  of  all  his  lands  or  their  lands 
Bounded  &  abutted  vnto  y"  Town-Clark  being  subscribed  by  two 
that  helpt  to  lay  them  out  and  then  the  said  dark  shall  record  them 
in  the  Town  Book  and  giue  to  each  a  Transcript  of  his  lands  ac- 
ording  to  the  Towns  record  which  shall  be  vieued  by  the  Select 
m[en]  both  originall  &  coppy  and  if  y*  originall  Town  Record  & 
y-  Transcript  be  found  to  agree  then  each  mans  Transcript  shall  be 
subscribed  by  the  Town  Clark 

For  as  much  as  y'  it  apeareth  that  Richard  Sawtell  his  [la]nd  was 
not  equivalent  for  goodness  to  other  mens  .  .  .  who  had  the  same 
quantitie.  The  Towne  .  .  .  have  consented  &  by  vote  manifested 
that  ...  he  sliall  haue  that  scrag}^  shrubbs  .  .  .  vnto  Indian  hill 
.  .  .  som  times  a  .  .  .  Indian  hill  .  .  .  [3] 

\_Date  torn  off.'] 
[i]  .  .  .  Towne  from  .  .  .  penc  provided  he  th  .  .  .  person  that 
shall  here  after  .  .  .  make  any  just  demand  with  respect  to  .  .  .  ve 
mentioned  p''mises   what  ever  shall  be  by  him  .  .  .  them  so  de- 
manded 

[2]  Due  to  Ric  Blud  &  Joh.  Lakin  for  laying  out  the  hie-way  to 
Lankester  twenty  shillings  when  they  have  perfeted  the  work  w'=  they 
Engage  to  doe  soone 

3  Due  to  James  ffisk  &.  Joh.  Nuttin  twenty  shillings  for  laying 
out  the  hie-way  to  Chelmsford  when  they  haue  perfeted  the  work  w"^ 
they  promise  to  doe  as  soone  as  they  can 

4  Due  to  Ric.  Sawtell  five  shillings  for  service  done  for  the 
Towne  at  Cambridg  twice 

5  Due  to  Jams  Parker.  Jam  Knop  &:.  Joh.  Page,  six  shillings  for 
laying  out  the  Townes  hie^wayes  &  cS:  satisfing  men  for  their  land 
when  it  fell  so  that  the  hie-way  went  over  any  man's  propriety 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  II 

[Dec]em  ...  63  i  William  Martin  Sergeant  James  Parker 
Ric.  Blud  W™  lakin  &  John  Nuttin  are  for  this  yeare  Chosen 
Select  men 

2  Sam.  Davis  Sam.  Woods  Ellis  Barns  &  John  lakin  are  chosen 
surveyors  of  the  hie-ways  for  this  yeare 

3  To  view  fences  this  year  are  chosen  Jams  Knop  W™  Greene 
And  Joseph  Gilson 

4  Ric.  Sawtell  is  chosen  Towne  Clark  for  this  year 

November.  23.  1664.  John  Page  is  Chosen  to  be  Constable  this 
yeare  :  at  a  generall  meeting 

2  James  Parker  William  Lakin  James  ffisk  William  INIartin  & 
Richard  Blood  are  chosen  Select  men  this  yeare 

3  Sergeant  James  Parker  Joseph  Parker  Richard.  Blud.  The. 
Tarbole.  &  Sam.  Woods  are  chosen  &  impowred  by  the  Towne  to 
lay  out  all  the  hie  wayes  In  the  Towne  &  if  there  be  an  absolute 
necessiti  apearing  for  them  to  Run  the  hie  way  thro  any  mans  pro- 
priety they  haue  full  pow''  to  satisfie  them  out  of  the  Towns  land  to 
their  best  convenienc 

4  ffor  the  surveyors  of  the  hiewayes  this  yeare  are  Chosen  Joh. 
Lawranc  Joseph  Parker  &  Jam  Knop  &  Joseph  Gilson 

5  To  view  ffences  this  year  are  chosen  W^ilter  Skiner  &  Na- 
thaniell  Lawranc  &  Jonathan  Sawtell 

6  The  Towne  has  granted  vnto  John.  Shadock  an  alotment  con- 
teining  a  single  mans  proportion  vpon  condityon  th[at]  he  shall 
pay  the  Towne  Charges  both  Ciuill  &  Eclia[sti]call  that  heretofore 
hath  risen  or  here  after  [shall]  arise  as  the  due  proportion  of  such 
an  alotme[nt.]  And.  secondly  the  vse  of  two  [acres]  of  medow 
lyng  vpon  Cow-pond  Brooke  i  .  .  .  for  seauen  yeares.  provided  he 
abide  .  .  .  constantly  &  consionably  ...  of  the  wants  of  each  .  .  . 
they  making  .  .  .     [4] 

\_Three  lines  much  torn,  and  illegible.'] 
.  .  .  other  wise  it  is  .  .  .  disposed  of  at  their  plesur 

Xovember  27  1664  Joseua  Whetney  and  Christofer  halle  were 
this  day  chosen  to  Joyn  with  Johnathan  Sattell  formerle  chosen  to 
vieue  fences 

In  the  Rome  of  Walter  Skener  and  Xathanell  larance  whom  ar 
herby  Released 

2ly     it  was  this  daye  voated  and  granted  y'  Mathias  ffarnworth 


12  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

shall  haue  fortey  polle  of  land  to  be  layd  out  agaynst  his  house  next 
to  James  his  Broke  for  a  building  place  puided  [it]  do  not  pred- 
gedese  the  hye  way 

Richerd  Blude  William  laken  Mathias  ffarnworth  and  James 
Kno[p]  William  longley  being  chosen  emparsall  by  the  towne  and 
John  Lawrence  sener  to  arbtrate  a  desp[ute]  belwen  the  above  sayd 
John  lawrence  and  the  town  they  haue  and  do  her[eby]  declare  y' 
they  do  thus  detarmen  y'  is  to  Saye  his  pro.son  of  land  being  furst 
mad  good  acord  to  his  gra[n]te  we  find  y*  remainder  to  be  the 
towns  land  acord[in]g  as  it  now  bounded 

27  of  January  James  fisk  is  now  by  the  townes  apaintment  Re- 
corded the  townes  Clarke  for  this  yeare 

James  Fisk,  the  second  town  clerk,  was  an  original  proprietor 
of  Groton,  and  the  owner  of  a  twenty-acre  right.  He  was 
also  one  of  the  first  board  of  selectmen  chosen  by  the  inhab- 
itants. He  wrote  a  fair  hand,  and  held  the  office  during  the 
year  1665.  His  house-lot  was  situated  on  the  present  "Great 
Road,"  perhaps  a  quarter  of  a  mile  south  of  the  First  Parish 
Meeting-house.  He  died  July  4,  1689 ;  and  in  his  will,  which 
was  dated  June  14  of  the  same  year,  he  mentions  four  sons 
and  one  daughter. 

\_Not  dated.'] 
It  was  this  day  granted  and  by  voate  decla[red]  y^  John  Leaken 
shall  haue  a  pece  of  lande  as  which  is  sixe  acors  mor  or  lesse 
bound[ed]  partly  on  the  south  and  by  tene  acors  of  .  .  .  land  and 
aingeler  east  by  his  hethermost  .  .  .  and  on  the  north  by  other 
tene  acors  of  .  .  .  lande  on  the  west  by  the  townes  comon  As 
also  ...  on  the  east  by  the  hye  way  [5] 

Here  the  record  is  considerably  torn,  and  is  probably  of  a 
town  meeting  held  subsequently  to  the  time  of  the  last  entry. 

It  was  ...  of  M'  Willerde  our  .  .  .  declared  by  voate  y'  our  time 
of  .  .  .  yerly  so  longe  as  god  shall  please  to  .  .  .  gether  shall  be- 
gine  and  ende  vpon  the  29  [d]ay  of  September 

It  is  furthermor  agreed  and  decleared  by  voate  y'  Mf  Willerde 
shall  be  alowed  in  consideration  of  his  labours  amonste  vs  this  next 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  13 

yere  Inseui[ng]  the  full  pposion  of  fifteye  pounds  to  be  payd  by 
euery  Inhabetant  acordinge  to  his  pposion  and  as  nere  as  may  be 
in  y'  which  his  nessety  requir[es]  and  furthermor  in  consideriation 
of  the  tim  being  betwene  the  furste  of  July  laste  past  and  y*"  last  of 
September  next  we  do  herby  agree  and  promise  vnto  him  y'  we  will 
paye  him  twentey  pounds  for  the  first  thirde  parte  of  tim  at  or  befor 
the  last  of  September  next  and  twentey  pounds  mor  at  or  befor  the 
furste  of  May  next  and  twentey  too  pounds  and  lo  shilings  more  at 
or  before  the  last  of  September  next  after  which  will  be  in  y^  yere 
1666. 

At  a  town  metting  vpon  The  21  of  the  7  mo""  1665  It  was  this 
day  agred  and  voated  y'  they  will  haue  a  metting  house  bult  forth- 
w[ith.] 

It  was  this  day  agreed  and  by  voate  declard  y'  Sargent  James 
Parker  and  Richerd  Blood  shall  make  the  couenenant  with  the 
carpenders  for  the  caring  one  the  worke  puided  y'  noe  other  pay 
shall  be  Requrd  of  any  man  puided  he  will  pay  his  proposon  in  his 
labour  giung  the  carpenders  a  wekes  warng 

It  was  this  day  granted  and  by  voate  declared  y'  John  lawranc 
senf  shall  quiatly  posese  and  Inioye  a  parselle  of  land  now  in  con- 
trouersey  and  allredey  within  his  ffenc  and  a  Joyning  to  his  house 
lotte  contining  too  acors  mor  or  lesse  bounded  west  and  south  by 
the  hye  way  and  north  and  east  by  his  own  land  &  granted  to  him 
as  a  grantiuety 

It  is  also  granted  that  eury  Inhabetant  shall  haue  the  like  priuledg 
proposonally 

It  was  thise  day  granted  and  voated  y'  Richard  Bloode  haue  lib- 
erty to  exchang  20  30  or  40  accors  of  his  land  prouided  he  do  not 
take  it  vp  agayne  vpon  phibeted  land  nor  to  the  predges  of  the  hye 
way  or  any  predgedes  to  [a]ny  mans  propriety 

...  so  y'  eury  Inhabetant  shall  haue  the  li[ber]ty :  of  exchang- 
ing any  parte  of  his  land  [pr]ouided  it  be  not  mor  to  the  damedg 
of  the  town  than  priuledg  to  him  y'  desir  an  exchang :  in  the  apre- 
hedsion  of  the  commet[tee]  chosen  to  lay  it  out  [6] 

...  &  by  votte  d  .  .  .  Consent  of  the  town  y-  noe  .  .  .  haue 
leberty  ...  to  take  vp  any  lande  by  [way]  of  exchange  or  other 
way  vpon  Sandey  pond  brooke  and  between  y'  and  the  magors 
brooke  and  South  brooke  till  such  tim  as  the  milles  acomodations 
be  layd  out 


14  EARLY   RECORDS    OF 


The  lo  of  the  8  mo*  1665.  It  was  this  day  voated  and  hereby 
decleared  at  a  leagell  town  metting  y*  thes  persels  of  land  namly, 
y'  land  Comonly  called  by  y'  name  of  the  Indian  hills  as  also  all 
the  comon  lande  between  John  Lauranc  sen  his  hous  lotte  and  Wil- 
liam Grens  and  Samuell  Woods  ther  medo  as  also  a  pece  of  Swamp 
betwen  William  Longlys  and  Johnathan  Crespes  ther  lotts  shall 
from  this  day  forth  lye  in  comone  for  the  vse  of  the  towne  and  noe 
man  shall  haue  leberty  to  take  up  any  parte  ther  of  as  his  pperitey 

2  It  was  allso  this  day  agred  and  voated  by  the  towne  y'  in  con- 
sidration  of  a  grattiaty  formerly  granted  to  eury  Inhabetante  anser- 
able  to  John  lawranc  sen  his  grante  y*  21  of  the  seaventh  mo"*  65 
y*  eury  man  shall  haue  liberty  to  take  vp  6  accors  to  a  twentey  accor 
house  lote,  and  in  case  it  Joine  to  his  house  eury  man  shall  take  vp 
pposonabl  ther  vnto  respectng  such  as  haue  eyther  the  hoUe  or  any 
part  therof  alredey,  but  if  mor  remote  eury  Inhabetant  shall  haue 
libert[y]  to  take  vp  too  for  one 

It  was  this  day  granted  to  Eleze  baron  y*  he  shall  haue  liberty  to 
take  vp  three  persels  of  medow  contining  too  accor  mor  or  lesse 
lying  on  the  sowth  of  the  Indeian  hills  bownded  one  all  poynts  by 
the  towns  comon 

The  Country  hye  way  being  determened  betwen  this  towne  and 
Chel[ms]ford  by  a  commitey  chosen  Respectiuly  by  both  towns 
haue  agreed  and  according  layd  out  thes  country  hye  way  from  y° 
metting  house  place  in  the  ould  carte  way  to  Chelmsford  metting 
house  sixe  Rode  in  width  from  place  to  pla[ce]  this  being  testefyed 
vndr  the  hands  [of]  the  commitey  at  a  towne  mee[ting]  the  10  of 
July  65  and  excepted  by  the  towne  may  be  suficente  to  sattesfy  aney 
home  it  may  heraftr  concern 

witnesse  Jam  ffiske  in  the  nam  o[f]  the  towne  [7] 

The  ii  of  the  [10*  month,  1665?]  .  .  .  Joseph  Parker  chosen 
Cons[table  for]  this  next  Insouin  Sargent  James  Parker  William 
Longley  William  Mearten  William  Leaken  and  Jam  Knope  ar 
chosen  Selecte  men  for  this  next  yer  Inseuen. 

Richerd  Bloode  Tiiom  Tarball  ar  chosen  survayers  of  the  hye 
ways  for  next  yere  Inseuen. 

Sergent  James  Parker  Jam  Knop  and  William  Leaken  wer  chosen 
together  with  y™  to  determen  the  seuerall  Squadrants  and  hom 
shall  worke  at  each  squadron  succesiuly 


GROTON,.  MASSACHUSETTS.  I5 

William  Longly  is  also  chosen  Clarke  Danell  Perse  and  Chres- 
epher  halle  ar  chosen  to  veue  fences 

Att  the  same  meeting  it  was,  voted  that  there  should  be  a  high 
way  left  out  of  all  and  euery  additionall  lot  or  lotts  for  the  townes 
use  as  occassion  should  haue  cause  to  make  use  of  from  time :  to 
time ;  thear  being  lands  alowed  by  the  the  suruayers  [w]hen  they 
laid  out  the  seuerall  additions  prouided  it  be  not  aboue  one  high 
way  and  that  the  high  way  do  not  exceed  aboue  foure  poole  wide 

A  country  rate  for  the  year  1665 

the  totall  summe  being  ii-^     5^     6^ 
A  county  rate  for  the  same  yeare 

the  totall  summe  being    i-^  15^    3*^ 
both,  with  rates  committed  into  the  hands  of  John  Page  to  gather, 
by  the  order  of  the  Select  men     [8] 

William  Longley  was  the  third  town  clerk  of  Groton.  He 
was  among  the  earliest  settlers  of  the  town,  and  was  the 
owner  of  a  thirty-acre  right.  He  was  the  son  of  Richard 
Longley,  of  Lynn,  where,  in  the  town  records,  the  name  is 
sometimes  spelled  Langley,  His  handwriting  was  creditable, 
and  he  held  the  office  during  the  years  1666  and  1667.  He 
died  November  29,  1680,  leaving  a  will,  dated  six  days  before 
his  death,  in  which  he  mentions  four  daughters  and  two  sons. 
A  few  years  later  his  son,  William,  was  chosen  town  clerk  ; 
and  the  two  have  sometimes  been  confounded  with  each  other. 
Still  later  his  grandson,  John,  was  chosen  to  the  same  office. 

16  of  the  10  mo*  1665  It  was  this  day  agreed  and  by  a  vnanams 
voatte  declared  y'  for  as  much  as  god  by  his  puidanc  haue  setteled 
Mr  Willerd  our  Rauerante  Pastor  by  sole[mn]  Ingeagment  amunst 
vs  we  do  therf[ore]  frely  giue  him  y'  acomadatione  formerle  stated 
to  the  minestry  to  gether  with  the  house  and  all  other  apartanances 
apertayni[ng]  ther  vnto  to  him  and  his  for  eur  from  this  day  forth 
puided  he  do  contineue  with  vs  from  this  day  forth  till  seaue[n] 
yers  be  xpired.  But  in  cause  he  shall  se  cause  to  remoue  from  vs 
be  for  the  seauen  yers  be  xpired  it  is  ag[reed]  by  our  Rauerant 
paster  one  one  par[t]  and  the  town  one  the  other  y'  he  shall  leaue 
thes  hoUe  acomadatione  to  the  town  and  be  aloued  what  it  shall  be 
Judged  by  Indeferant  men  mutally  ch[osen]  on  both  parteys  and 
so  the  hous  and  lan[d]  to  Remayn  the  towns  to  despose  of  haung 


l6  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

aloued  as  aforsayd  for  what  improument  he  haue  mad  vpon  it  But 
if  it  shall  pleas  god  to  take  him  by  death  then  the  house  and  land 
...  to  his  eayers  frely  for  euer 

and  hervnto  we  do  enterchangebly  sett  to  our  hands  the  day  and 
yer  aboue  wretten  Sam'^'-  Willard  James  Parker 

William  Lakin 
James  knop 
In  the  name  and  with  the  consent  of  the  towne 

A  general  1  towns  meeting  held.  5  of  march  1665-66  Att  the 
same  meetting  it  was  agreed  and  voted  y*  the  there  should  be  trees 
marked  for  shade  for  cattell  in  all  common  hy  wayes :  : 

A  the  same  meetting  it  was  agreed  &  voted  that  the  marke 
should  be  a  great  T 

At  the  same  meeting  it  was  agreed  and  voted  [thjat  who  euer 

shall  fall  or  lop  any  shuch  trees  [mark]ed  by  the  men  apointed  shall 

pay  for  eue[ry  tree]  fallen  or  lopped  shall  pay  for  th  .  .  .  tenne 

shillings 

[Not  datedJ] 

It  was  this  day  granted  and  by  voate  declare[d]  that  Sergent 
James  Parker  John  Page  Jam  Knope  and  Thomas  Tarball  shall 
haue  libertey  to  take  vp  a  twentey  accor  acomadations  of  vpland 
and  medow  the  vpland  in  that  place  y'  may  sute  them  beste  prouided 
they  do  not  take  it  out  of  y*  land  which  is  alredey  prohebeted  and 
the  medow  partly  out  of  y'  which  was  apoynted  for  t[he]  melle  and 
the  rest  wher  they  can  finde  it  in  aney  place  or  places  that  they 
shall  make  choyc  of  with  all  other  priueledges  apertayning  the[reto] 
acording  to  other  grants  of  lik  .  .  .  In  considriation  of  the  .  .  . 
mill  as  apere  by  ac  .  .  .  [9] 

Entered  in  the  town  book  It  is  further  ordered  y'  the  .  .  .  shall 
not  be  ratable  .  .  .  yere  sixty  and  seauen  67  as  ...  y^  mille  shall 
stande  Reatte  fre  for  the  full  terme  of  twentey  j^eres  ferthermor  it 
is  agreed  by  the  consent  of  the  towne  y'  noe  man  nor  men  shall 
haue  liberty  to  build  anye  other  mell  or  mels  tell  the  full  time  be 
xpired  expresed  in  the  couenant  vndr  the  hands  of  the  vndertakers 
vnless  anye  man  se  cause  to  buld  it  vpon  his  own  pperitey  and  only 
for  his  own  vse 

6th  5™  1666  it  was  this  day  voted  and  declared  by  these  foure 
men  that  are  aboue  mentioned  in  this  order  of  granting  lands  to 
builde  a  mill  haue  also  released  the  towns  enjrasiement  unto  them 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  17 

The  following  two  entries  are  in  the  handwriting  of  John 
Morse,  the  sixth  town  clerk,  and  belong  some  years  later. 

At  a  Towne  meeting  granted  by  the  Towne  a  five  acre  acomada- 
tion  of  vpland  and  medow  with  priuledg  of  commonage  to  such  a 
psell  vnto  Thomas  Williams  wife  and  children  and  soe  to  remaine 
theirs  without  any  salle  or  alteration  and  if  in  case  they  leaue  the 
town  then  it  is  to  returne  againe  to  the  town  the  towne  paying  him 
for  what  nesisary  charg  hee  hau  bin  at 

Upon  an  exact  calculation  found  seaven  hundred  and  forty  acres 
of  ratable  meadow  [10] 

at  a  generall  town  meeting  held  26  .  .  .  [1666.]  ...  It  was 
agreed  and  declared  by  vote  that  our  re  [verand]  Pastor  M'  Willard 
should  haue  sixty  pounds  al[lowed]  him  for  this  year  Ensuing: 
beginning  at  the  29  of  Semptember  1666  : 

And  also  euery  inhabited,  is  hereby  ingaged  to  pay  vnto  our 
reuerent  Pastor  the  third  pt.  of  his  pption  in  merchantable  corne  at 
price  currant  and  also  to  cutt  and  Car[t]  to  his  house  and  there  to 
Cord  for  him  the  aforesaid  30  cord  of  wood  at  fiue  shilling  p  cord, 
betwixt  this  &  the  25th  10  m 

Att  the  same  meetinge,  Nathaniell  Lawrenc  and  Samuell  Woods 
now  agreed  with  to  lay  the  planks  vpon  the  meeting  and  to  do 
them  sufficiently,  and  they  are  to  haue  4  s  6 :  d  p  000  alowed  them 
in  the  meeting  rate 

Att  the  same  meeting,  James  Knapp  &  Ellis  [Barron]  were  agreed 
with  to  make  2  doores  for  the  meeting  house  &  to  mak  2  p  of  stares 
for  i-^ :  and  to  lay  the  vpper  floure  for  4^  6 

At  the  same  meating  Will  Greene  and  Joshua  Whittney  where 
cohosen,  to  he[lp]  the  Glassiar  Goodm  Grant  to  bring  vp  his  glasse 
and  to  be  allowed  for  their  tim  in  the  meeting  house  rate 

Att  a  towns  meeting  held  11*:  lo"*  1666  Samuell  Woods  was 
Chosen  Constable  for  the  yeare  Ensuing. 

Att  the  same  meeting  Sergeant  James  Parker  John  Lakins  John 
Lawrence  James  Knapp  &  William  Longley  we[re]  Chosen  select 
men  for  this  yeare  en[suing.] 

Att  the  same  meetting  William  Longley  was  chosen  town  Clarke 
for  the  year  Ensuing. 

John  Longley  of  Grawton  took  the  oath  of  fidelity  this  24th  of 
the  2  month  1666 

before  Daniell  Gookin 


l8  EARLY   RECORDS    OF 

Att  the  same  meeting  the  towne  grant[ed]  vnto  John  Morse  that 
2  acres  &  a  h[alf]  that  was  layed  out  vnto  Tho[mas]  boydens  in  the 
general  [field.]  [11] 

ii"*:  ID  1666  .  .  .  the  same  meeting  Benjamin  [Crispe]  did  lay 
downe  2  acres  &  a  halfe  of  w''  he  purchased  of  Thomas  Boyden  in 
the  general!  feild,  and  he  had  liberty  by  the  towne  to  take  it  vp  with 
his  gratuity  y'  he  purchased  of  'I'homas  boyden  and  the  towne 
granted  vnto  the  sd  beniamin  Crispe  two  acres  and  a  halfe  of 
vpland  to  be  layed  out  with  the  rest  abouesd : 

A  true  account  of  all  the  pticuler  soms  of  all  the  work  done  to 
the  meeting  house  frame  and  other  charges  as  nailes  hookes  & 
hinges  glasse  and  pulpit  et : 

Inpr  for  Thatch  S  ~  o  o 
It  to  John  morsse  for  thathing  and  getting  withs  i  13  o 
It  for  wages  for  those  did  attend  the  thatcher  5  14  8 
It  carting  clay  &  stones  for  dawing  the  wall  &  un- 
der pinning  3  00 
It  the  dawbing  of  meeting  house  walls  4  12^  6 
It  laths  and  nailing  on  200 
It  for  nailes  3  12  3 
It  for  nailling  on  the  clap  bords  7  108 
It  for  getting  the  sleepers  and  laying  of  them  i  4  o 
It  for  planks  600  &  halfe  2  18  6 
It  fo  seanson  bords  700  &  5  foot  2  12  10 
It  for  laying  of  the  lower  flore  at  4'  6^^  p  000  i  82 
It  making  doores  and  two  payres  of  stares  i  00 
It  for  laying  40382  of  bords  on  the  gallery  floors  2  00 
It       for  shutts  for  the  windows  and  making  p'uison 

for  M'  Willard  to  preach  till  we  haue  a  pulpitt  o  10       o 

It       making  a  pulpitt  3  00 

It      for  glass  for  the  windows  3  5       o 
It       for  200  of  bords  and  more  nails  and  more  work 

done  by  carting  &  laying  seats  &c  180 

50         16     10 
.  .  .  f  the  meeting  house  rate  Josiah  Parker  [12] 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  IQ 

Att  a  Town  mee[tin]g  held  24  10™  [1666.]  It  was  agreed  &  by 
vote  Declared  y'  all  the  lower  seates  in  the  new  meeting  house  that 
now  is  :  should  be  deuided  six  for  men  &  six  for  women,  And  also 
the  two  front  seats  of  the  Gallery :  the  best  prouision  that  the  town 
can  prouide  both  for  the  minister  and  also  for  the  people  to  sit 
upon,  against  the  next  Lords  day  come  seauenight  and  euery  one 
to  be  placed  in  their  places  as  they  shall  continue  for  the  future 

Att  a  Generall  Town  meeting  held  31*  10"  1666  ffor  better  pceed- 
ing  in  setling  seates  for  the  women  as  well  as  for  men  It  was 
agreed  &  by  vote  declared  that  the  ffront  Gallery  on  the  north  side 
of  the  meeting  house  should  be  devided  in  the  midle ;  and  the 
mens  that  shall  be  placed  there ;  their  wiues  are  to  be  placed  by 
their  husbands  as  they  are  below 

£     s    d 

1234  A  rate  made ;  13""  5?  1666  and  put  in  to  the  hands  of 
Joseph  to  colect,  to  pay  these  debts  follow 

Impms  I  pound 2  10 

It      to  seuerall  men  fo  laying  out  highwais  and  other 

time  spent  for  the  towne  use 

It       t     sergent  Parker i  3  o 

It       to  richard  Blood 00  18  4 

It       John  Lakins 00  12  o 

It       Tho  Tarball 00  18  o 

It      John  Page 00  16  o 

It       James  Knap 01  12  o 

It       James  ffisk 00  10  o 

It       John  Nutting 00  10  o 

It       Joseph  Parker 00  06  o 

It      Joseph  for  the  stocks  and  Irons  to  hang    .     .  120 

I        Sam  Woods 00  02  o 

It       Will  Longley 00  02  o 

It       rich  holdin 00  02  o 

It      for  the  for  the  rate  about  first  meeting  falling 

short  to  pay  the  workers  .......  16  o 

11  09       4 
It      toe  black  staffe o  3       6 

I        for  beanes,  &  a  halfe  bushell  peck  &  halfe      .0         160 

12  8     10 

[13] 


20  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 


Att  a  meeting  of  [the]  Select  men  held  22"'  .  .  .  [1667.]  It  was 
agreed  for  the  f»uenting  of  vnessary  Charges  y'  might  fall  vpon  the 
towne,  by  any  Constable  or  any  other  men,  that  shall  or  may  be  au- 
thorized, by  the  towne,  to  gather  towne  rates  yearly  It  is  therefore 
ordered  for  the  future,  that  any  Constable  or  Constables  that  shall 
be  legally  Authorized  from  the  Towne  to  gather  rates  for  the  vse 
of  the  towne,  being  Comitted  vnto  him  or  th^m  orderly;  And  after 
due  demand  made  of  each  inhabitant  of  this  towne,  that  now  are 
or  after  shall  be  from  time  to  time  :  who  euer  they  shall  be  that 
shall  refuse  to  make  payment,  or  to  satisfy  the  Constabls  their 
respectiues  sumns  so  demanded  the  s"^  Constable  or  Constables  are 
hereby  Impowered  to  leuy  a  distresse  vpon  the  goods  or  chattells  of 
any  man  or  men  rusing  or  non  paying  theirs  dues  as  aforesd  ;  And 
the  sd  Constable  is  to  take  two  shillings  for  euery  distresse  so  leuyed 
for  his  fees  always  puided  that  he  or  they  make  but  one  distresse  of 
any  one  pson  for  any  one  rate,  and  this  order  was  appued  of  by  the 
towne  to  stand  in  force  till  the  Towne  so  cause  to  repleale  the 
same 

Att  a  generall  Towns  meetings  held  S***  3™  1667  The  Towne  hav- 
ing further  agitations  about  a  mill  vnderstanding  that  Captaine 
Clerke  of  Boston  had  manifested  his  willingnesse  to  build  a  mill 
for  the  Towne  ;  It  was  agreed  &  by  vote  declared  :  that  There 
should  be  three  men  chosen  to  go  to  Mr  Clerke  and  power  giuen 
vnto  them  at  the  same  meetings  to  make  a  firme  agreement  with  sd 
Capt  Clerke  in  the  behalfe  of  the  Towne,  and  the  Towne  did  by 
vote  declare  to  stand  to  confirme  what  should  be  inacted  by  them, 
puided  they  attended  to  the  Instructions  then  agitatted  by  the 
Towne  The  Three  men  chosen  by  the  towne  as  the  Trustees  are 
These  Sergeant  James  Parker  Corporall  James  Knapp  &  Beniamin 
Crispe 

Att  the  same  meetings  it  was  declared  by  vote  that  the  Towne 
Clerke,  should  in  the  behalfe  of  the  town  signify  vnder  his  hand  by 
writing  vnto  Captaine  Clerke  that  the  sd  three  men  now  chosen  by 
the  the  towne  and  had  full  power  Committed  vnto  them  to  make  a 
firme  &  full  agreement  with  him  about  his  building  a  mill  for  the 
towns  use  [14] 

[At  a  to]wns  mee[ting  h]eld  6',''  6™  1667.     [The  t]owne  hauing 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  21 

another  meeting  about  a  mill  [it]  was  agreed  &  by  vote  Declared 
y'  the  lands  &  meadows  granted  to  John  prescott :  for  to  build 
the  towne  a  mill ;  namly  the  500  acres  of  vpland  and  twenty  of 
meadow,  together  with  the  mill  should  be  freed  from  all  towns 
charges  whatsoeuer  for  the  space  of  twenty  years  :  and  this  was  the 
vote  of  the  major  part  of  the  towne  that  was  present  at  this  meet- 
ing :  these  fouer   men   as  folloeth,  manifested  their  Descent  at  y' 

time 

Richard  Blood 

Wili  Longley 

James  ffiske 

Thimo  Allen 

At  the  same  meeting  :  James  Parker,  James  Knapp  John  Page 
&  Ellis  Barron  were  chosen,  by  the  major  p'  to  agree  with  John 
Prescott  &  full  power  given  them,  to  make  a  firme  bargaine  with 
him  : 

Att  a  generall  towns  meeting  held  7"*  8™  i66[7,]  It  was  agreed 
&  by  vote  declared  that  the  rate  that  was  formerly  made  for  amu- 
nition  should  be  made  voide  :  that  order  was  giuen  to  the  select 
men  to  make  another  and  to  add  to  the  former  i  penny  vpon  the 
acre,  and  the  pay  to  be  such  as  carry  it  self  down  to  Charles 
Towne. 

Att  a  meeting  of  the  select  8"*  &'°^'^  1667  :  a  rate  made  for  amuni- 
tio"  and  Committed  in  to  the  hands  of  Joseph  Parker  Constable 
to  Colect,  and  procure  the  same  for  the  Towne  use 

the  totall    12-^  00 

Att  a  generall  Towns  meetting  held  lo"*  9™  1667  It  was  agreed 
and  by  vote  declarded  to  giue  vnto  Mr  Willard  our  pastor  for  his 
maintenance  for  this  present  yeare  beginning  the  29*  7"  should 
haue  sixty  pounds,  to  be  paid  at  two  payments  the  one  halfe  to  be 
paid  into  to  him,  betwixt  this  and  the  last  of  March  next :  and  the 
other  half  of  the  pay  to  be  paid  vnto  him  by  the  last  of  September 
next  after  the  date  hereof.  And  for  quality  ;  the  major  pt  of  the 
Towne  agreed  y'  one  third  p'  each  inhabitant  shloud  pay  his  third 
p'  of  his  proportion  ;  in  wheat  at  5^  p  bushell  or  porke  a[t]  3  pence 
p  pound  or  butter  at  6  pence  p  pound  fo  .  .  .  thirds  in  Indian  corne 


22  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

at  3^  p  bushelle :  or  other  ...  at  the  price  currant  as  it  passeth 
betwixt  .  .  .  amongst  ourseleues  [15] 

At  the  same  [meeti]ng  it  wa[s  voted  that]  Sergeant  James  Parker 
should  .  .  .  Inhabitant  bring  in  his  Just  pportion  .  .  .  time  and 
quality  of  pay  as  it  is  stated  in  the  [for]mer  order  &  that  the  s''  James 
Parker  shall  haue  full  power  giuen  to  him  vnder  the  select  mens 
hands  to  force  any  Inhabitant  to  mak  payment  that  shall  not  come 
vp  to  pforme  his  duty  aft[er]  due  demand  and  all  due  means  used 
to  bring  him  or  them  as  abouesd 

Att  a  generall  Towns  meetting  held  ii"*  9™""  1667  The  towne 
agreed  with  Thimothy  Allen  to  swe[ep]  the  meetinge  house  &  to 
puide  water  ffor  the  babtizing  of  the  towns  children  from  time  to 
time,  for  this  yeare  ensuing,  and  the  s**  Thimothy  alien  is  to  haue 
twenty  shillings  allowed  him  for  his  labor  in  the  next  townes  rate 

At  the  same  meettinge  it  was  agreed  that  the  seats  in  the  meet- 
inge should  be  mad  in  a  pleaine  and  desent  and  comly  manner, 
and  euery  seuerall  company  (that  ar  now  present  inhabitants 
and  as  they  are  now  placed  by  the  towne  and  the  Committey  for- 
merly chosen,)  they  should  build  their  seates  at  their  owne  charge, 
And  all  the  fronteers  both  aboue  and  below,  shall  be  at  the  charge 
of  the  laying  the  foundation  sills  for  the  seates  that  are  behind 
them  ;  And  what  euer  any  maior  p*  of  any  company  that  are  placed 
together  in  any  seat  shall  agre  to  build  their  seats  the  minor  are 
hereby  inioyned  to  pay  with  their  neighbors  and  it  was  further 
agreed  that  whereas  the  seates  are  larger  than  the  present  inhab- 
itants do  fill  vp  then  when  any  shall  placed  hereafter  in  any 
seate  or  seates  y'  then  they  are  hereby  enioyned  to  pay  an  equall 
pportion  to  be  &  with  those  that  haue  laid  down  the  pay  for  the 
building  of  the  seates 

Att  meeting  of  the  select  men  21*  9"*  1667  A  rate  made  for  our 
Pastor  of  60  00  00 

and  put  it  into  the  hands  of  Serg  James  Parker  to  colect 

[At]  the  same  meeting  was  a  rate  made  for  the  Count  .  .  .  acer  ii 

and  Committed  into  the  hands  [of]  Joseph  Parker  to  colect 

[16] 

[At]  a  meeting  [of  the  select]  men  the  [22  9  1667,]  Rekonde 
with  Joseph  Parker  both  for  the  towne  rate  of  12-^  3^  4  and  for  the 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  23 

Meetinghouse  Rate  being  19-00-06,  he  the  sd  Joseph:  paying 
all  the  pticuler  bills  assigned  to  him  by  the  select  men  or  stated  in 
the  townes  book  to  be  paid  as  there  remaine  Due ;  to  the  sd  Joseph 
Parker  02-^-15  -  04  of  w"''  summe  lo-^  00  00  [;^i  ?]  is  due  to  him  for 
i  wolues  heads  that  he  paid  to  the  to  the  Indians  for  the  towne 

At  the  same  meetinge  was  a  towne  rate  made  ffor  to  pay  the 
Artest  and  the  men  that  attended  him  and  his  diet  for  himself  and 
his  horse,  and  for  two  sheets  of  parchment,  for  him  to  mak  two 
platts  for  the  towne,  and  for  Transportation  of  his  pay  all  which 
amounts  to  about  twenty  pounds  and  to  pay  seuerall  other  town 
debts  that  apear  to  us  to  be  due ;  which  sd  rate  ariseth  to  9  pence 
p  acre  vpon  the  meadow  of  each  inhabitant  of  this  towne,  and 
Comitted  vnto  Joseph  Parker  now  Constable  to  Colect,  and  to  dis- 
charg  the  aforsd  debts  being  ordered  to  him  by  the  selectmen 
due  to  John  lakin  01       00       o 

James  Parker,  for  going  to  boston  to  search  to  Coun- 
try records  and  to  Captain  Clerke 
due  to  Joseph  Parker 
ffor  two  sheats  of  Parchment 
due  James  Knap  for  going  to  Cap  Clerke 
James  Parker  hath  p''mised  to  Discount  that  2^.  5* 
thats  due  from  him  to  the  towne,  in  that  wch 
is  due  from  the  town  to  him  ;  &  therefore  the 
rate  was  laid  so  much  lesse  vpon  the  towne  : 
w'^h  sume  abousd  is  discounted 

attest  MiTHiAS  farnwor[th] 

due  to  Thimothy  Allen  for  sweeping  the  meetinge  house    01     00 
ffor  to  build  a  seat  ffor  the  deaco"  and  a  seat  ffor  the 

Pastor  wife  02     00 

At  a  towns  meeting  held  the  11*  10°  1667  Samuell  Dauis  was 
chosen  Constable  for  the  yeare  Ensuing.     [17] 

[James]  Knop  .  .  •   [John]  Nutting  selectmen  for  the  .  .  . 

Item,  Jno  Page  chosen  [Town]  Clerke : 

Item.  Rich :  Blood  &  Tho  Tarbol  Senio"^  surveyors  for  y*"  high 
wayes. 

Item,  Tim  :  Allyn :  Sam!  Kempe,  &  Jno  Ba[rron]  chosen  sur- 
veyors of  fences. 

Item,  Sam:  Wood,  &  Nath.  Lawrence  chosen  to  s[ee]  that  hogs 
bee  legail 


00 

15 

00 

02 

15 

00 

00 

05 

00 

00 

OS 

00 

24  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

John  Page  was  the  fourth  town  clerk,  and  held  the  office 
during  the  year  1668.  He  was  the  son  of  John  and  Phebe 
Page,  of  Watertown,  and  removed  to  Groton  in  the  year  1662. 
He  was  married  May  12,  1664,  to  Faith  Dunster,  by  whom  he 
had  five  or  six  children.  In  the  spring  of  1676  he  returned 
to  Watertown,  where  he  died  probably  in  the  year  171 2. 

1668.  Att  a  towne  meeting  held  the  11  of  9  month  John  Nutting 
was  Chosen  Constable  for  yeare  insu[in]g 

att  the  same  meeting  James  Parker  Wiiia  longlye  Beam  Crispe 
Wiiia  lakin  Richard  bl[ood]  wheare  Chosen  select  men  for  this 
yeare  and  Richard  Blood  towne  Clark 

att  the  same  time  Wiila  longlye  Joseph  Parker  Nathaniell 
Lavv[rence]  Richard  blood  wheare  Chosen  Oveseers  for  the  high 
wayes 

at  the  same  time  Thomas  Tarball  Juni  wiiiia  greene  Joseph  gil- 
son  was  Chosen  oversears  of  fences  and  that  swyne  be  ordered 
according  to  Court  and  towne  order 

At  the  same  time  Josefh  parker  was  agreed  with  for  [to]  keep 
the  meeting  house  Cleane  for  this  y[ear]  for  twenty  shillings 

Richard  Blood,  the  fifth  town  clerk,  was  the  son  of  James 
and  Ellen  Blood,  of  Concord.  He  held  the  office  during  the 
year  1669,  and  lived  in  the  district  called  "Nod,"  which  is  sit- 
uated in  the  neighborhood  of  the  cross-roads,  just  below  the 
soapstone  quarry.  He  was  one  of  the  original  petitioners  for 
Groton,  and  the  largest  proprietor  in  the  town,  owning  a  sixty- 
acre  right.  He  was  also  one  of  the  first  board  of  selectmen 
chosen  by  the  inhabitants.  His  wife's  name  was  Isabel  ;  they 
had  five  children,  and  perhaps  more.  He  died  on  Decem- 
ber 7.  1683.  James,  his  eldest  son,  was  killed  by  the  Indians 
at  Groton,  in  the  autumn  of  1692. 

the  6  of  the  10  moth  in  a  towne  meting  it  was  voted  that  .  .  . 
Acommidations  with  all  the  visible  estat  of  [the]  towne  is  that 
which  is  to  be  Rated*  for  the  defraing  of  publick  Charges  Civill  and 
cycle  [siastical.] 

Richard  Blood  Wilia  longlye  with  sum  others  refuse  to  Join 
with  them  but  showing  theire  desent  to  the  Contrarie 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  25 

The  :  8  of  the  ro  moth  It  was  this  day  voted  by  the  mayior  part 
of  the  towne  that  the  minist[er  have]  sixty  fiue  pounds  for  this 
yeare  beginning  the  tewnty  nine  of  September  68  shall  shall  be 
Raysed  the  one  halfe  vpon  the  Accomdations  and  the  other  halfe 
vpon  all  the  visible  estat  of  the  towne  wiii  longley  Richard  blood 
and  sum  others  declaring  the  Contrarie  by  voyt  [18] 

[At  a  gen]erall  [town]e  meting  the  ...  It  was  this  voted  by  the 
to[wn]  .  .  .  County  Court  shall  be  .  .  .  from  the  Charges  of  .  .  . 
so  to  other  Courts  to  efect  and  to  be  Chosen  for  that  end 

At  the  same  meting  it  was  determined  to  buil[d  a]  bridg  over 
stonie  brook  fitting  for  Cart[s  to]  pass  over,  as  also  that  James 
knop  W[illiam]  lakin  Richard  blood  ar  mayd  cho[ice]  of  to  vew 
where  the  best  place  be  for  that  end  and  what  the  Char[ge]  may 
amount  vnto  and  to  haue  ther  p[ay]  when  sargent  parker  and 
Richard  .  .  .  hath  theirs  for  going  to  the  gener[al  Court.] 

5  of  thejirst  moth  68  69  At  a  meeting  of  the  sele[ct]  men  for 
the  dividing  of  heards  ar  so  divided  as  th  .  .  .  yeare  onely  Richard 
Blood  and  .  .  lakin  shall  heard  ther  Cattell  with  there  neighbors 
according  to  a  towne  order  formaly  mayd  in  the  yeare  62 

the  22  of  march  68  69  Att  a  towne  meting  it  was  [by]  vot  de- 
clared that  the  deaken  should  be  satisfied  for  in  the  Ratt  now  put 
into  the  counst[able's]  hand  which  is  tow  pounds  three  shillings 
and  six  pence.  2  —  3 

the  19  of  the  second  moth  1669  A  Rate  mayd  by  the  select 
men  for  belerica  bridg  Contaying  the  sum  [of]  sixtene  pounds  put 
now  into  the  h[ands]  of  John  nuttinge  Counstable 

At  the  same  meting  it  was  o[rdered]  that  sargent  parker  and  so 
to  ...  .  lakin  shall  heard  ther  Cat  [tie]  together  notwithstanding 
any  order  formalie  to  the  Contrarie  for  this  yeare  [19] 

[At  a]  town  meting  the  second  ...  by  vote  granted  to  Robert 
parish  .  .  .  [Park]er  and  timothy  Couper  that  th[ey  shall  be]  and 
now  ar  free  Comoners  for  wood  and  timber  and  for  there  owne 
Cat  [tie]  as  other  men  of  this  towne  haue  paying  to  all  towne 
Charges  according  to  there  proportion 

[Sa]me  [meetijng  formalie  being  an  account  taken  of  all  the 


26  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

grants  that  had  bine  giuen  and  granted  and  the  Comitties  order 
being  fulfiled  the  towne  did  solemlie  determine  to  take  in  no  more 
but  a  taylear  and  a  smith  and  Consedering  the  great  Charg  that 
hath  bine  vpon  the  present  inhabitants  the  do  now  by  vote  declare 
that  by  way  of  grant  or  gift  directlie  or  indirectlie  as  a  towne  and 
the  townes  mind  herein  declared  by  vote  the  second  of  June  1669. 
onely  a  smith  and  no  other 

same  meting  theise  men  gaue  vnto  Robert  parish  sum  small 
grants  of  vpland  as  followeth 


sargent  parker 

4  accors 

will  longlye 

3  accors 

Richard  Blood 

4  acors 

John  longlye 

2  acors 

James  knop 

I  acors 

James  ffiske 

1  acors 

matt  farnworth 

I  acor 

John  baron 

I  acor 

sargent  lakin 

I  acor 

Thomas  tarball  senior 

2  acors 

this  not  giuen   as  a  towne  act  but 

out  of   everie  mans  owne 

pertikuler   Right   provided    hee 

Come 

and   setteli   amonst   vs   a 

townes  man  and  not  other  wayes 

it  was  voted  that  our  pastors  maintenance  should  be  Raysed 
the  one  halfe  vpon  the  Acomidations  and  the  other  halfe  vpon  the 
visible  estat  of  the  towne  and  the  sum  to  be  sixtie  fiue  pounds 
as  followeth 

first  to  pay  30  pounds  in  Corne  and  tenn  pounds  in  provision 
and  what  is  wanting  in  provision  to  be  payd  in  Corne  and  .  .  . 
tewnty  fiue  pounds  to  be  payd  in  .  .  .  seasonnablelye  or  other- 
wayes  in  Corne  [20] 

.  .  month  [166] 9  .  .  .  Ratte  mayd  for  the  .  .  .  [ge]neral 
towns  dets  the  sume  .  .  .  pounds  eighteene  shillings  and  .  .  .  put 
into  the  hands  of  John  nu[tting.] 

Alt  a  meting  of  the  select  men  the  night  moth  69  it  is  ordered 
that  all  and  eu[ery]  inhabitant  shall  from  time  to  time  p[revent] 
his  swine  from  doing  his  neighbor  [damage]  either  in  Corne  feilds 
medowes  or  a[ny]  other  pertikuler  propriiye  but  if  any  [man]  or 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  2/ 

men  shall  neglect  his  or  ther  du[ty]  herein  the  shall  for  the  first 
traspass  [pay]  Just  damag  according  to  Just  valuati[on;]  for  the 
second  traspass  the  shall  pay  d[ouble]  damag  according  to  a  Just 
valuation  for  a  third  traspass  a  trible  damage  a[s]  aforesayd  and 
that  this  order  sha[ll]  stand  in  force  till  this  towne  se  a  way  to 
efect  and  prevent  damag  by  swine 

A  Countrie  Ratte  put  into  the  h[ands]  of  John  nutting  Coun- 
stable  for  this  yeare  1669  being  the  sum  [of]  tenn  pounds  sixtiene 
shillings 

the  10  of  the  9  moth  69  att  a  towne  meting  James  .  .  .  was 
chosen  counstable  for  [the]  yeare  next  insuing 

At  the  same  meting  John  Mos  chosen  towne  clarke  for  the  y[ear] 
insuing 

John  Morse  was  the  sixth  town  clerk,  holding  the  office 
from  the  year  1670  to  1676,  when  the  town  was  burned  by 
the  Indians,  —  and  subsequently  during  the  years  1680  and 
168 1.  He  was  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Dorothy  Morse,  of  Ips- 
wich, and  a  native  of  England.  He  wrote  a  handsome  hand, 
and  was  an  accomplished  man.  At  the  burning  of  the  town 
he  was  taken  prisoner,  but  ransomed  in  the  course  of  a  few 
weeks  on  the  payment  of  "  about  five  pounds."  He  removed 
from  Groton  to  Watertown  about  the  year  1699. 

The  15  of  the  10  month  69  At  a  town  meeting  chussen  [se]lect 
men  for  this  year  insu[ing]  Wiii  martin  Sergent  Parker  Benjamin 
Crisp  John  Nutting  John  Page  James  knop  John  Morse 

[A]t  the  Same  meeting  for  the  same  year  chosen  for  commis- 
sioners William  martin  Sergent  Parke [r]  william  Longly 

for  Surveyers  Joseph  Parker  Thomas  Tarball  senior  [21] 

for  veiwers  of  fences  W Blood  and  John  Barro[n] 

.  .  .  Iso  at  the  same  tim  were  chosen  Pel  [eg  Lawrjance  and  Joshua 
Whitney  for  [lookjing  after  swine  to  be  acording  to  orde[r.  At] 
the  same  meeting  were  chosen  [John  P]age  and  John  Nutting  by 
the  [town]  to  see  that  Mr  Willard  haue  maintenance  duely  and  truly 
payd  him  and  that  they  bring  the  towne  a  generall  acquitance : 

Agreed  with  Timothy  Allen  for  the  keeping  the  meeting  house 
cleane  for  twenty  shillings  and  to  be  payd  in  his  town  charges 


28  EARLY   RECORDS    OF 

The  Towne  voted  that  the  men  shold  be  payd  for  the  laying  out 
of  John  Prescots  land 

and  also  agreed  vpon  at  the  same  meeting  that  the  select  men 
shall  haue  power  to  petition  to  the  Court  for  one  to  marry  persons 
in  our  towne 

At  a  meting  of  the  Select  men  the  27.  December  1669  [I]t  is 
orderd  that  all  and  euery  Inhabitant  of  the^Towne  shall  bring  in  a 
tru  invoyce  [o]f  their  pticuler  estat  to  any  one  of  the  select  men 
whensoeuer  it  is  called  for  (or  else  it  must  be  left  to  the  discretion 
of  the  select  men)  or  to  a  town  meeting  deputed  for  that  end 

endepted  to  the  towne  from  James  ffisk  Thirteen 
shillings  sixpence  o     13     6 

This  acknowledged  to  be  payd  by  John  nutting 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Select  men  Decem  27  1669  Agreed  vpon 
that  you  are  to  make  a  Sufficient  cart  bridge  ouer  Sandy  brook  and 
also  a  Sufficient  horse  bridg  ouer  stony  brook  with  a  Raille  of  one 
side  and  to  make  a  firm  goeing  in  and  out  for  a  cart  at  the  same 
brook  and  to  mend  such  countrey  hyewayes  as  doe  nesisarily  fall  in 
and  for  pticuler  hyewaye  working  all  such  as  are  behind  are  to  be 
called  vpon  by  the  surveyers  to  work  their  due  proportion  answer- 
able to  those  that  haue  wrought  before  and  that  euery  man  work 
proportionabley  according  to  his  estat  and  that  the  wayes  are  to  be 
mended  in  the  seuerall  anggells  of  the  towne  and  if  any  man  or 
men  shall  willfully  neglect  working  in  any  part  of  the  hyeway  after 
three  dayes  warning  by  the  Surveyers  they  shall  have  power  to  hire 
any  one  in  the  roume  of  th[ose]  that  doe  soe  neglect  and  to  mak 
them  to  pay  three  shill  a  day  for  euery  such  defect  giuing  the  man 
they  hire  2!  6^  for  his  day  and  reseruing  the  other  6''  for  the  towns 
vse.  [22] 

.  .  .  meeting  of  the  select  men  Ja  10  i[669.  Orjder  about 
fences 

[T]o  the  intent  that  we  may  preserue  loue  and  peace  in  the 
towne  and  preserue  our  corne  from  unnesisary  beeing  destroyed  It 
is  ordered  according  to  power  giuen  to  the  select  men  to  mak 
orders  according  to  their  best  discretion  as  in  pag  11  sexion  6  we 
order  that  all  the  out  sid  fences  about  all  cornfeilds  orchards  and 
gardens  in  the  towrte  shalbe  a  sufficient  fine  Raill  fence  or  that  that 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  29 

is  in  the  judgment  of  the  veiwers  of  the  fences  eqvivolent  theirto 
and  if  any  man  refuse  or  neglect  to  male  such  fences  and  theirby 
occasion  either  his  owne  or  his  neighbours  cattell  to  an  ill  haunt 
which  otherwise  would  be  orderly  shall  forfeit  to  the  towne  for 
euery  such  default  legally  proued  as  a  fine  ten  shillings  and  we  doe 
expect  that  the  veiwers  of  the  fences  shold  atend  their  dutyes  herin 
according  to  the  law  and  towne  order 

according  to  that  law  concerning  swine  in  page  74 

for  the  preseruing  our  medowes  from  damage  as  much  as  may  be 
from  s[wine]  that  goe  vpon  the  commons  shalbe  suff[i]ciently 
ringed  from  three  months  old  and  vpward  with  two  sufficiently 
ring[s]  in  each  swines  nose  well  put  in  and  to  be  ringed  by  the  first 
of  Aprill  from  tim  to  tim  and  to  be  continved  so  ringed  till  the  last 
of  September  and  to  that  end  that  they  may  goe  sufficiently  r[inged] 
doe  order  that  the  man  or  men  [who]  are  to  look  after  swine  shold 
hau  sixp[ence]  a  swine  for  euery  swine  that  he  or  they  find  vnringed 
in  the  towne  that  is  abo[ve]  three  months  old  and  mak  it  apear 
le[gal]ly  that  he  or  they  haue  ringed  them  alre[ady]  according  to 
the  intent  of  this  order 

we  order  that  if  any  mans  swine  in  the  towne  tak  any  mans 
corrrfeild  beeing  legally  proued  the  owners  of  thes  swine  shall  forth- 
with sufficiently  yo[ke]  them  or  shut  them  vp  vpon  the  penalty  of 
paying  double  damag  at  the  first  time  of  damag  beeing  done 

The  owners  of  those  swine  that  goe  unri[nged]  shall  pay  the 
sixpence  to  thos  men  that  a[re]  to  look  after  the  swin  after  legall 
demand 

At  the  same  meeting  The  select  men  of  haue  ordered  for  the 
dividing  of  the  heard  in  to  three  beards  one  to  begin  at  Witii 
Martins  and  to  Nathaniell  Lorances  taking  in  peleg  Lorance  and 
Wiii  greenes  The  second  from  samvell  woods  to  Mathias  ffarn- 
worths  taking  in  Richd  holden  and  Joshua  Whitney  and  his 
neigbours  the  Third  from  Will  Elluees  to  Jam[es]  Robersons  and 
Timothy  cooper 

for  the  preseruing  of  wood  and  ...  it  is  ordered  that  for  euery 
tr[ee]  .  •  .  that  are  feeld  excepting  p  .  .  .  within  half  a  mile  of 
[23]  .  .  .  body  and  top  within  one  ...  is  not  set  up  or  caried 
away  .  .  .  feit  four  shilling  for  euery  such  .  .  .  for  the  towns  vse 
and  half  to  the  inf[or]mer  and  euery  such  tree  or  trees  shalbe  .  .  . 
for  any  man  to  take  and  for  any  pine  tr[ee]  that  is  fallen  crosse  the 


30  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

high  way  and  is  not  taken  away  with  a  week  he  shalbe  lyeable  to 
the  same  penalty  and  these  foure  men  chosen  to  look  after  these 
defects  Joseph  Parker  Nathaniell  Lorance  Daniell  pearse  and 
Thomas  Tarball  Junior 

At  a  generall  towne  meeting  12  of  the  ii""  month  1669  agreed 
vpon  voted  and  agreed  vpon  that  all  publik  charges  excepting  the 
ministers  shold  be  raised  vpon  the  accomedations  till  the  towne  see 
good  to  repeall  it 

At  y'  same  meting  The  Town  haue  voted  and  agreed  vpon  that 
Mathias  fTarnworth  shall  mak  a  sufficient  cartbridg  ouer  James 
brook  beneath  his  owne  house  in  that  place  wheir  the  surveyers 
shall  Judg  it  most  convenient  and  to  mak  the  way  sufficient  as  far 
as  Benjamins  Crisp ['s]  house  with  a  whele  against  his  barn  in  con- 
sideration for  which  he  is  to  hau  a  parsell  of  land  of  Simon  Stones 
from  the  run  to  rock  medow  path  till  it  come  to  his  owne  line  leauing 
a  highway  thorow  it  of  six  polle  wid  till  it  com  to  the  mill  way  and 
that  way  that  did  formerly  run  thorow  Simon  Stones  is  now  deserted 
and  become  his  owne  propriety 

[T]he  11"'  o[f]  Aprill  [i]67o  At  a  meeting  of  the  select  men 
agreed  with  Sargent  James  Parker  for  himself  and  his  Son  John 
and  with  James  Knop  to  run  the  line  betwene  chelmsford  and  our 
towne  with  chelmsford  men  and  they  are  to  hau  for  the  perfecting 
of  the  same  sixteene  shilling  o  16  o 

At  a  generall  towne  meeting  Novem  i  [i]67o  It  is  this  day 
agreed  vpon  and  voted  that  Mr  Willards  maintenance  and  all  other 
Towne  charges  shalbe  raised  for  this  present  yeare  the  one  halfe 
vpon  accomodations  and  the  other  halfe  vpon  visible  estate 

At  the  same  meeting  agreed  vpon  that  Mr.  Willard  should  haue 
sixty  fiue  pound  for  this  present  yeare  and  a  sixth  pt  shalbe  payd  in 
flesh  provision  that  is  to  say  in  merchentable  pork  beef  butter  and 
cheese  betwixt  this  and  chrismas  merchentable  wheat  five  shill  per 
bush  barley  4s  per  bush  rye  4s  pease  4s  and  Indian  cor[n]  flesh 
meat  to  be  payd  .  .  .  per  pound  and  butter  at  6  .  .  .  [24] 

Town  meeting  held  the  12"'  10  m[i67o]  chussen  for  constable 
James  Knopp  for  the  yeare  ensuing 

for  select  men  Serg  James  Parker  William  Martin  William 
Longley  John  Nutting  John  Pag  James  Knopp  John  Morsse 


GROTON,    MASSACHUSETTS.  31 

for  Town  dark  was  chussen  John  Morsse  for  the  same  year  en- 
sueing 

,  (  Thomas  Tarball )  Seni 

for  surueyers  ■<  > 

(John  Lakin  ) 

for  veiwers  of  fences  ElHs  Barron :  Thomas  Tarball  Juni  James 
Roberson  and  to  see  that  swine  be  according  to  town  and  court 
order  are  chussen  Natha  lawranc  Samuell  kemp 

At  the  same  meeting  agreed  with  Timothy  Allen  to  keep  the 
meeting  housse  cleane  for  this  following  year  for  twenty  shill —  i  o  o. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  sellect  men  janev  2  1670  concerning  swine 
to  that  end  that  our  medowes  and  cornfeilds  may  be  preseued  from 
damag  as  much  as  may  be  we  doe  order  that  all  swine  that  goe 
vpon  the  commons  shalbe  sufficiently  yoked  and  ringed  from  three 
months  old  [and]  vpward  from  the  first  of  aprill  to  the  last  of  Sep- 
tember and  that  the  owners  of  the  swine  shall  keep  them  soe  during 
the  wholle  time  and  those  men  that  are  chusen  to  se  that  they  be 
according  to  the  order  shall  haue  six  pence  p  head  for  eu[ery]  tim 
that  they  find  them  vnyoked  and  six  pence  euery  time  they  find 
them  vnringed  half  for  them  selues  and  the  other  half  [for]  the  vse 
of  the  towne  prouided  they  giu  the  owners  of  thos  swine  season- 
able warning  excepting  such  swine  that  are  turned  ou[er]  the  riuer 
if  the  towne  see  good 

At  the  same  meeting  and  agreed  vpon  by  the  towne.  That  all 
and  euery  inhabitant  of  the  towne  shall  pay  their  due  and  full  pro- 
portion to  our  Reuerd  pastor  in  the  seuerall  kinds  of  it  according 
to  the  agrement  of  the  town  the  first  half  year  payment  to  be  payd 
at  or  befor  the  25  of  march  and  the  other  halfe  to  be  payd  at 
or  before  the  29  of  septem  :  and  they  are  to  bring  in  their  accounts 
to  the  Decon  or  to  the  men  chusen  for  y'  end  within  the  ti[me] 
prefixed  or  else  they  shalbe  accounted  delinquents 

Ja  ri  1670  At  a  towne  meeting  chussen  for  [that]  end  Ser:  Wiiti 
Lakin  and  Nath  Lawranc  [25] 

[F]eb  8  1670  At  a  meeting  of  the  Sel[ect]men  agreed  withall 
an  .  .  .  meet  with  Boston  Gentlemen  for  the  renewing  of  the  line 
betwene  our  town  and  their  farmes  in  Massabog  woods  and  between 
mashobo  and  our  town  (viz)  Sergent  James  Parker  and  James  knop 
and  they  are  to  hau  3'  p  day  and  with  Joseph  Parker  senior  and 


32  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

John  Parker,  and  they  to  haue  2s  —  6d  p  day  and  they  are  to  hau 
two  qvarts  of  Liqvors  to  be  giuen  them  for  their  refreshment  vpon 
the  towns  account 

At  a  general!  towne  meeting  held  febr  13  1670  It  is  this  day 
agreed  vpon  and  voted  that  these  severall  psells  of  land  here 
specifid  shall  for  euer  hence  forward  to  lye  common — (viz  a  peice 
of  comon  land  about  the  meeting  house  that  ly  from  John  nuttings 
Samuell  kemps  James  Robersons  Timothy  cooper  unto  Walter 
Skinners  and  the  hye  way 

A  swamp  that  lye  bounded  vpon  the  land  of  Wiii  Longleys 
Richard  Blood  and  John  page  and  the  hye  way  that  ly  bye  John 
Longleys 

A  peice  of  land  from  Samvell  Dauis  Wilia  Ellue  Wiii  longley 
Jonathan  Sawtells     Richd  holden  and  John  Mors 

A  peice  of  land  that  lye  between  Samvell  Woods  broad  medow 
Jonathan  Sawtell  and  the  bay  hye  way 

A  peice  of  land  that  lye  from  that  was  Ralph  Rieds  lot  of  both 
sides  y*  brook  called  James  brook  till  we  com  to  the  high  way  that 
Run  from  Wiii  Ellues  to  the  pine  medow 

All  the  swamp  land  lye  common  between  Timothy  Allen  Josep 
gilson  Wiii  laken  and  the  bridg  y*  run  to  half  moon  medow 

All  the  common  land  that  lye  from  Richard  blood  to  the  generall 
feild  that  is  their  layd  down  from  the  river  to  nashaway  Road 

feb  17  [i]67o  At  a  meeting  of  the  select  men  for  the  stating 
and  recording  the  hye  wayes 

I  Lanchester  hye  way  from  our  meeting  house  to  James  his 
brook  sixe  poll  wide  as  the  Rood  now  lye  ouer  James  his  brook 
Bridge  and  soe  to  continue  6  po[ll]  wide  to  nashaway  meeting 
house  according  to  the  committees  order 

[2]  A  high  way  from  this  countrey  Road  .  .  .  [26]  .  .  .  James 
his  Brook  till  we  com  to  the  cor[ner]  of  Jonathan  Sawtells  medow 
m[ee]ting  with  the  other  high  way 

3'''  from  the  countrey  high  way  by  William  Ellues  and  soe  by 
Richard  holdens  purchis  of  Richard  holden  of  two  pooU  wid  for 
which  he  is  satisfied  for  till  it  meet  with  the  high  way  which  was 
purchased  of  Samuell  Dauis 

4  A  high  way  goeing  out  of  Lanchester  Rood  near  John  pages 
of  four  poll  wid  so  goeing  into  the  way  that   goe    to    mill  near 


GROTON,    MASSACHUSETTS.  33 

Benjamin  crisps  which  high  way  was  ptly  purchased  of  Sainuell  dauis 
Richard  holden  Daniell  peirce  and  James  Knop  butting  vpon  Wil- 
liam Longley  John  Morse  vpon  the  west  and  Thomas  Tarball 
James  Knop  on  the  east  and  the  rest  of  the  way  goeing  through 
thos  mens  lots  for  mentioned  and  satisfaction  giuen  them  to  their 
content  by  the  towne  commitee 

Perhaps  the  highway  starting  from  Farmers'  Row,  near  the 
"  Community,"  passing  by  the  District  School-house,  No.  2, 
and  the  late  Levi  Stone's,  —  as  laid  down  on  the  map  in  Mr. 
Butler's  "  History  of  Groton,"  —  into  the  Harvard  road. 

A  high  way  goeing  out  of  Lanchester  roode  of  four  polle  wide 
goeing  to  the  south  end  of  the  generall  field  lots  next  to  James  his 
Brook  bounded  south  with  Richard  holdens  swamp  and  medow  and 
John  Morsse  north  with  the  land  of  John  Sawtell  and  Richard 
holden  from  which  their  goe  a  high  way  along  the  generall  field  till 
we  com  to  the  common  land  by  Samuell  Dauis  the  said  way  beeing 
four  poll  wid  running  between  Richard  holden  and  the  [general] 
feild 

The  road  going  toward  Page's  Bridge. 

and  near  about  the  midle  of  that  way  their  goeth  a  high  way  of 
four  [pole]  wide  downe  the  generall  feild  to  the  neck  vpon  the 
riuer 

The  "neck"  was  near  the  farm  of  the  late  Major  Amos 
Farns  worth, 

A  high  way  goeing  out  of  Lanchester  Roode  by  thomas  Tarball 
Junio=  of  four  poll  wid  Thomas  tarball  of  the  north  and  Joseph 
Blood  on  the  South 

The  road  leading  to  the  Red  Bridge  and  Squannacook, — 
on  the  south  side  of  James  Lawrence's  farm, 

A  high  way  that  goe  out  of  Lanchester  Rood  near  the  meeting 
house  all  the  land  that  lye  common  vpon  the  head  of  Jonathan 
Crisps  lot  between  Samuell  Kemp  and  James  Robersons  lyeing  for 
common  and  hy  way  soe  runing  from  the  end  of  Samuell  Kemps 
lot  between  Jonathan  Crisps  and  James  Robersons  and  so  down  to 
the  riuer 


34  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

A  high  way  that  goe  out  of  Lanchester  Rood  near  the  meeting 
house  and  see  between  Timothy  cooper  and  James  Robersons  and 
through  Timothy  coopers  land  and  to  James  Bloods  hous  lot  till  we 
com  to  the  common  land  and  common  land  left  for  a  high  way 
between  Will  Longley  senio=  and  Christopher  hall  and  Timothy 
Cooper  which  leadeth  into  the  high  way  by  Jonathan  Crisps  lot 
down  to  the  riuer 

A  high  way  that  goe  out  of  Lanchester  Rood  near  Samvell  Kemp 
lyeing  between  John  Nutting  and  .  .  .  runing  to  Broad  medow 
.  .  .  with  the  end  .  .  .  [27]  so  along  the  medow  till  you  com  to 
the  high  way  coming  from  John  Pag  towards  Benjamin  Crisp 

A  high  way  of  two  poll  wid  goeing  from  Lanchester  Road  near 
to  Thomas  Tarba[irs]  between  Richard  Blood  on  the  south  and 
Joseph  Parker  on  the  north  and  so  runing  down  to  Broad  medow 

This  goes  out  of  some  part  of  Farmers'  Row ;  perhaps  it  is 
the  westerly  end  of  the  Broad  Meadow  road. 

And  for  the  mill  Road  between  James  fifisk  and  Samuell  Woods 
Run  a  way  to  the  mill  of  sixe  poll  wide  excepting  by  the  house  of 
Richard  Sawtell  from  James  ffiskes  staks  to  Richard  Sawtells  house 
soe  runing  of  six  poll  wid  till  we  come  to  Matthias  ffarnworths 
land  continuing  6  poll  wid  to  the  mill  leading  to  the  mill 

This  is  the  highway  leading  from  the  "  Great  Road,"  and 
passing  by  the  birthplace  of  Colonel  Prescott,  thence  over 
James's  Brook  toward  Harvard. 

and  out  of  that  way  Run  a  way  to  Rock  medow  near  to  Matthias 
ffarnworth  and  thes  wayes  runing  thorow  pt  of  his  land  ne[ar3  the 
place  wheir  thes  wayes  are  now  improued 

The  Snake  Hill  road,  only  lately  shut  up  to  public  travel. 

out  of  Chelmsford  Road  goe  a  high  way  of  four  poll  wide  by  Ellis 
barren  thorow  his  land  of  four  poll  wide  and  then  six  poll  wid  into 
the  countrey  Road  at  way  pond 

Way  Pond  is  the  old  name  of  Long  Pond.  The  road 
started,  perhaps,  from  a  locality  near  the  Ridges. 

And  near  Richard  Sawtells  house  on  the  south  sid  of  James  his 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  35 

Brook  a  way  of  foure  poll  wid  in  the  most  convenient  place  to 
broad  medow  for  carting  of  hay  or  driuing  of  cattell  which  way  run 
through  the  land  of  Richard  Sawtels 

This  road  starts  from  the  late  Eber  Woods's  house, — as  laid 
down  on  the  map  in  Mr.  Butler's  History, —  and  runs  west- 
erly over  Swill  Bridge. 

Also  a  high  way  runing  to  Broad  medow  betweene  Richard  Saw- 
tells  house  and  Samuel  Woods  thorow  that  piece  of  land  that  [is] 
already  prohibited 

Also  a  high  way  of  four  poll  wid  going  down  to  Broad  Medow 
lyeing  betwene  M"^  Samvell  Willard  and  William  Greene 

This  is  the  easterly  end  of  the  Broad  Meadow  road,  which 
then  led  only  to  the  meadow.  In  the  year  1752,  two  rods  in 
width  on  the  north  side  of  the  road  was  sold  by  the  town  to 
the  Reverend  Mr.  Trowbridge,  who  owned  the  adjoining  land. 

Out  of  Chelmes  Road  goe  a  high  way  near  to  wheir  Joshua  Whit- 
neys  first  house  stood  of  four  poll  wid  runing  of  that  sid  ferney 
medow  to  Brown  loaf  plain  so  vnto  common 

This  is  the  first  road  below  Cady  Pond,  and  runs  northerly 
from  the  "  Great  Road." 

Another  high  way  goeing  out  of  the  countrey  high  way  near  to 
Nicolas  Cady  going  between  his  medow  and  Ser  James  Parkers 
land  winding  down  towards  Jacob  Ongs  house  and  so  thorow  his 
land  and  soe  betwene  ser  Parkers  land  and  James  ffiskes  land  and 
to  Brown  loaf  plaine 

Cady  lived  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  pond  named  after 
him,  and  Ong,  near  the  late  Reuben  L.  Torrey's  house, — as 
given  on  the  map  in  Mr.  Butler's  History.  The  road  starts 
from  Phineas  G.  Prescott's  house,  runs  northerly  perhaps 
sixty  rods,  to  Mr.  Torrey's,  and  then  bears  off  easterly  to 
Brown  Loaf.  The  first  section  of  it  is  the  southerly  end  of 
Love  Lane. 

Another  high  way  goeing  out  of  the  countrey  high  way  betwixt 
M"'  Willard  and  William  Green  goeing  by  Nathaniell  Lawrances 
vnder  the  south  sid  of  gibbet  hill  into  those  medows  and  woods 


36  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

This  is  the  beginning  of  the  present  Lowell  Road,  which 
formerly  passed  only  on  the  south  side  of  the  meeting-house. 

and  out  of  that  way  goe  another  way  by  Thomas  Smith  goeing 
betwixt  Thomas  Smith  and  Nathaniel!  Lawrance  and  along  by  ser 
James  Parkers  land  and  into  that  way  that  leadeth  from  Nicolas 
Cadyes  to  br[own]  loaf  plain  near  Jackob  Onges 

The  northerly  end  of  Love  Lane. 

And  out  of  that  way  a  way  by  Natha[niel]  Lawrances  barne 
goeing  into  the  neck  .  .  .  gat  or  a  sufficiet  pair  of  draw  barrs  to 
[be]  Kept  and  maintained  at  the  end  [of]  Natha[niel]  Lawrances 
feild  by  Ser  Pa[rker]  .  .  .  assignes  for  euer  .  .  .   [28] 

.  .  .  from  tim  to  tim  and  at  all  times  previous  thos  that  use  it 
shut  vp  the  barres  or  gat 

from  the  meeting  house  another  highway  out  of  the  Countrey 
Road  betwixt  William  Martins  house  lot  and  Joseph  Lawrances 
house  lot  of  four  poll  wid  lill  it  com  to  the  medow  and  then  soe 
wid  as  a  sufficient  causey  determin  it  and  from  the  bridg  to  by  the 
half  moone  medow  sid  of  foure  poll  wid  for  the  vse  of  Wiiia  Martin 
and  William  Lakin 

Also  from  that  causey  by  the  pond  and  medow  sid  into  the  woods 
to  Badacook  a  hie  way 

another  hye  way.  for  Timothy  Allen  goeing  out  of  the  prohibeted 
land  thorow  Joseph  Lawrances  land  near  Timothy  Aliens  of  two 
poll  wid 

Also  another  hye  way  out  of  the  Countrey  Road  by  ser  William 
Lakins  befor  his  Dore  thorow  his  land  as  it  is  now  stated  by  the 
commitee  the  town  chose 

Also  a  high  way  out  of  the  countrey  Road  by  timothy  Aliens  to 
Joseph  Gilson  and  soe  into  the  hye  way  that  come  from  ser  Lakins 
to  goe  to  Richard  Bloods 

And  out  of  that  way  goe  a  way  by  ser  William  Lakins  betwixt 
Richard  Blood  and  Alexander  Rouse  and  betwixt  William  Longley 
senio=  and  John  Lakins  till  we  com  into  the  common  woods 

Also  a  hye  way  as  it  is  now  stated  thorow  James  Parkers  medow 
to  Mr  Willards  medow  Robert  bloods  and  John  Nuttings 

Also  another  high  way  from  John  Lakins  [to]  the  meeting  house 
as  it  is  now  stated  the  way  by  the  new  bridges  from  Nod 


GROTON,    MASSACHUSETTS.  37 

The  words  "from  Nod"  are  in  a  different  handwriting  from 
Morse's.  "  Nod  "  is  the  old  name  of  the  district  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  the  cross-roads,  below  the  soapstone  quarry. 

Also  another  high  way  from  James  Bloods  house  wheir  he  now 
dwell  in  to  the  way  coming  from  John  Lakins  near  the  place  wheir 
John  Lakins  old  hous  stood 

Also  another  highway  turing  out  of  the  Countrey  Road  neare  the 
meeting  house  runing  thorow  Joseph  Lawrances  land  on  the  south 
side  adjoyning  to  Captain  Parkers  land  of  two  poll  wid  goeing  to 
half  moone  medovv  which  was  formerly  Timothy  Aliens  but  now 
Timothy  Coopers  and  this  hye  way  only  for  his  vse 

An  agrement  betwixt  Joseph  Lawrance  and  Timothy  Cooper  in 
the  year  1672 

That  their  shalbe  a  hye  way  for  the  vse  of  timothy  Cooper  out  of 
the  hye  way  from  the  corner  of  Walter  Skifiers  land  on  the  south 
side  of  Joseph  Lawrances  land  to  the  medow  of  timothy  Cooper 
that  lye  in  halfe  moon  medow 

A  hye  way  Runing  ouer  James  Bloods  medow  of  two  poll  wid 
goeing  to  the  Hand  in  Reedy  Medow  [29] 

The  description  of  the  last  three  highways  appears  to  have 
been  written  subsequently  to  the  rest,  but  it  is  in  Morse's 
handwriting. 

1670  febr  28  Also  a  peice  of  land  to  lye  common  hence  forward 
(viz)  a  hill  calld  by  the  name  of  Sheeplees  hill  and  all  the  comon 
land  that  lye  about  it  between  y^  two  pathes  the  one  that  come 
from  John  Lakins  to  the  meeting  house  and  that  which  goe  from 
Jno  Lakins  to  Reedy  medow 

That  highway  that  come  from  the  bridge  to  Nathaniell  Lawrances 
lotend  shalbe  a  open  highway  of  four  poll  wid  from  sergent  Lakins 
medow  to  Nathaniell  Lawrances  lot  betweene  sergent  James  Par- 
kers land  and  that  land  that  was  left  out  of  of  the  sd  sergent 
James  Parkers  by  Nathaniell  Blods  house  shalbe  layd  downe  for 
the  vse  of  the  town  and  former  record  of  shuting  vp  of  barres  shalbe 
mad  annulle 

I  think  that  this  highway  formerly  ran  on  the  west  side  of 
Gibbet  Hill,  from  the  present  Lowell  road  to  the  Martin's 
Pond  road. 


38  EARLY   RECORDS    OF 

Only  their  is  a  liberty  left  for  opening  or  shuting  of  this  high 
by  the  commitee  chussen  and  the  neighbourhood  when  the 
towne  see  case  that  their  is  more  neadfuU  for  the  leaueing  of  it 
open  then  it  is  aduantag  to  sergent  Parker  or  any  other  they  are  to 
leau  it  open  againe  and  the  commitee  hau  receiued  full  satisfaction 
for  all  the  coinon  land  that  lye  vpon  the  west  and  northwest  sid  of 
gibbet  hill  except  the  hye  way  and  the  hye  way  is  left  four  poll  wid 
from  sergent  Parkers  line  from  the  swamp  along  the  medow  sid  to 
the  bridg  swamp  from  the  medow  and  that  skirt  of  land  that  was 
sergent  Parkers  by  the  meeting  housse  is  determined  by  the  com- 
mitee to  lye  coinon  for  euer 

Also  a  hyeway  that  lye  thorow  Joseph  lawrances  land  down  to 
halfe  moone  medow  is  satisfied  for 

and  the  hyeway  by  Nathaniell  Bloods  is  satisfied  for 

Also  the  hyeway  from  Nicolas  Cadyes  leading  to  brown  loaf  plain 
is  enlarged  of  of  sergent  parkers  land  —  also  half  an  acre  taken  of 
sergent  parkers  land  at  the  north  east  of  end  of  Gibbet  hill  for  the 
streitening  of  Nathaniell  Lawrances  line  [30] 

At  a  meeting  of  the  select  men  febr  24  1670  Agreed  vpon  for 
the  diuision  of  the  heard  into  three  heards  one  to  begin  at  M"^  Wil- 
lards  to  Mathias  ffarnworths  taking  in  Thomas  Boydon  and  Jackob 
onge  and  Nathaniell  Lawrance  and  they  ar  to  goe  out  with  their 
heard  2  dayes  in  the  week  by  James  ffiske  2  dayes  by  Ellis  barron 
and  2  dayes  by  Matthias  ffarnworth  and  so  to  Rock  medow 

The  second  heard  to  begin  at  sergent  parkers  to  William  Lakins 
taking  in  John  Lakin  Richard  blood  and  James  blods. 

The  third  to  begin  at  Timothy  cooper  and  James  Robersons  to 
William  EUues  taking  Richard  holdens  the  walk  the  second  heard 
is  to  goe  out  by  Nathaniell  Lawrancs  and  by  sergent  lakins  and 
Richd  bloods  and  into  vnquetenorset  woods  all  these  seuerall 
angles  of  the  town  are  to  heard  if  they  can  agree  to  hire  a  heards 
man  the  major  p[  so  agreeing 

At  a  generall  towne  meeting  febr  27  70  Agreed  vpon  and  voted 
that  this  last  order  about  swine  made  by  the  select  men  shalbe 
made  voyd  and  of  noe  effect 

Also  agreed  vpon  at  the  same  meeting  that  all  thos  seats  that  are 
yet  to  build  in  the  meeting  house  shalbe  built  in  a  generall  way  also 
a  commitee  chussen   to  treat  with  thomas  Boydon  to  build  them 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  39 

(viz)  Sergent  James  Parker  corporall  Knop  John  Pag  Ellis  Barron 
and  Nathaniell  lawrance 

At  a  town  meeting  held  the  23  6™  167 1  It  was  agreed  and  by 
vote  declared  that  Samuell  Scriptur  shalbe  an  inhabitant  amongst 
vs  and  for  his  Incoridgment  these  men  haue  giuen  him  some  small 
grants  of  vpland  as  foUoweth 

Will  Martin  i  acre 

Serg  Parker  2  acres 

Rich  Blood  2  acres  &  half 

Will  Longley  i  acre 

Ellis  Barron  i  acre 

John  Page  i  acre 

Christo  hall  i  acre 

John  Longley  half  an  acre 

At  the  same  meeting  agreed  vpon  that  vpon  the  warning  of  any 
town  meeting  the  seuerall  perticulers  that  shalbe  agetated  vpon 
and  that  shalbe  the  work  of  that  day  shalbe  brought  in  in  writing 
and  read  by  the  dark  at  the  begining  of  the  meeting  [31] 

At  a  Generall  towne  meeting  held  October  16  167 1  This  day 
agreed  vpon  by  the  towne  and  voted  that  Mr  Willard  shall  haue 
sixty  fiue  for  this  year  ensueing  and  that  he  shall  hau  his  whoU 
yeares  pay  by  the  latter  end  of  december  and  the  maner  of  his  pay 
followeth  one  third  p'  of  his  pay  in  prouision  and  english  corne  and 
those  that  cannot  pay  in  prouision  and  in  english  corne  they  are 
to  pay  their  Indian  corne  at  two  shill  and  three  pence  the  bushell  soe 
as  to  answer  that  third  pt  of  their  pay  which  was  to  be  payd  in 
English  corn  and  prouision  and  the  rest  of  their  pay  they  are  to 
pay  at  prise  currant  (that  is)  their  Indian  corne — 3*  per  bush 
wheat  5^  per  bush^"  —  pease  Rye  barley  at  4^  per  bush  and  pork 
and  beeflfe  at  3^^  per  pond  and  for  the  maner  of  their  payment  to  be 
raised  as  it  was  the  last  year  the  one  half  vpon  the  accommoda- 
tions and  the  other  vpon  the  estate 

At  the  same  meeting  were  chusen  Sergent  william  lakin  and 
nathaniell  lawrance  and  that  they  shall  se  that  Mr  Willards  pay 
shalbe  brought  in  and  faithfully  payd  to  him  according  to  the 
agreement  of  the  towne 

At  a  Generall  towne  meeting  held  Decem  11  167 1  chussen  for 
constable  Ellis  Barron  for  that  yeare  insuing 


40  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

And  for  select  men  Sergent  James  Parker  William  Martin 
William  Lakin  John  Page  James  Knop  Elis  Barron  John  Morsse 
and  for  town  dark   John  Morsse 

for  surveyers  Nicolas  cady  Thomas  Tarball  Juni  Jonathan 
Sawtell  and  Natha  Blood 

for  veiwers  of  fences  Daniell  Pearse  Thomas  Smith  Jonathan 
Morss  Joseph  Lavvrance 

At  the  same  meeting  the  towne  reserued  irv  their  own  hands  for 
the  ordering  of  the  heards  And  for  sweeping  the  meeting  house 
agreed  with  timothy  Allen  for  Twenty  shillings  for  this  following 
yeare  Also  agreed  vpon  at  the  same  time  and  voted  that  the  en- 
voyce  shalbe  taken  the  first  week  of  the  sixth  month  and  so  to 
stand  for  the  making  of  all  town  and  ministers  rates 

At  a  meeting  of  the  sellect  men  janevary  i8,  167 1  Concerning 
the  surveyers  agreed  vpon  by  the  select  men  for  the  diuiding  of 
their  seuerall  sqvadrons  and  for  the  calling  out  of  their  men  to  work 
that  is  within  their  seuerall  sqvadrons  as  is  exprest  in  their  seuerall 
papers  The  dayes  they  are  to  work  is  four  dayes  for  this  year 
excepting  they  can  mak  it  apear  that  they  .  .  .  [32] 

At  aTowne  meeting  held  Sept  16  1672  It  was  agreed  vpon  and 
by  vote  declared  that  their  shalbe  a  commitee  chusen  by  the 
towne  which  Committee  shall  haue  power  to  seat  euery  man 
according  to  their  best  discretion  and  that  euery  man  shall  pay  to 
the  value  of  the  seat  they  sit  in  the  seates  also  beeing  valued 
according  to  their  proportion  and  disproportion  by  this  committee 
chussen  and  the  committee  chussen  and  the  names  of  the  men  are 
these 

Sergent  Parker  ^  ( ^            v        ) 

r>             X    ,  •       f  ,1  James  Knop  / 

Sergent  Lakm     >•  and    ■<  ^  ,      ,,           >• 

Tho=  Tarball      )  (John  Morsse  j 

Att  a  generall  Towne  meeting  held  Octo  14  1672  It  was  this 
day  agreed  vpon  and  by  vote  declared  that  Mr  Willard  shall 
haue  for  this  present  year  eighty  pound  and  the  maner  of  his  pay 
as  followeth  a  third  part  of  his  pay  a  followeth  In  english  corne 
and  prouision  wheat  at  fiue  shil  p  bushell  Rye  barley  and  pease 
at  four  shill  pr  bushell  pork  and  beefe  at  3"^  p  pound  and  all 
such  as  cannot  pay  his  third  part  of  his  pay  in  english  corn  and 
prouision  they  shall  pay  In  Indian  corn  at  2  shill  p  bushell  and  the 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  4I 

remainder  of  his  pay  In   Indian   Corn  at  3  shill  p  bushgll  his  fire 
wood  also  aboue  his  eighty  pound 

and  furder  these  persons  here  set  downe  doe  promise  and  Ingage 
to  git  Mr  VVillard  hay  mowing  making  and  fetching  home  for  eight 
shilling  p  load  at  a  seasonable  time  (viz)  in  the  midle  of  JuUy 


Sergent  Parker 
Rich=  Blood 
James  ffiske 
Tho=  Tarball  Se 
sergent  Lakin 
Rich=  holden 


>■   and 


Timothy  Allen 
Ellis  Barron 
Thomas  Smith 
John  Morsse 
Joseph  gilson 
Pelleg  Lawrance 


At  the  same  meeting  and  by  vote  declared  that  Major  Willard 
shalbe  a  fre  commoner  amongst  vs  for  feed  for  cattell  wood  and 
timber 

At  a  generall  towne  meeting  held  The  7"*  of  the  9**"  month  1672 
It  was  this  day  agreed  vpon  and  by  vote  declared  that  all  Inhabi- 
tans  in  the  towne  shalbe  seated  in  the  meeting  house  according  to 
a  rulle  of  proportion  impartially  (by  the  towne  or  by  a  committee 
chussen  by  the  towne)  according  to  their  best  discretion  and  the 
seates  to  be  valued  and  each  man  to  pay  according  to  the  seat  they 
sit  in  and  they  are  to  place  in  the  seats  below  in  the  body  of  the 
meeting  house  sixe  persons  in  a  seate  and  to  fill  vp  the  first  and 
second  seat  first  and  to  sit  fiu  persons  vnder  the  window  and  five 
persons  in  a  seat  in  the  front  gallery  and  eight  persons  in  a  seat  in 
the  east  and  west  gallery  —  the  persons  that  are  first  to  be  seated 
are  marled  persons  and  also  such  single  persons  as  may  and  ought 
according  to  a  rulle  of  proportion  be  seated  with  them  and  the 
other  young  persons  to  be  seated  till  they  haue  filled  vp  all  the 
seates  that  are  [33]  already  builded  and  all  such  persons  as  want 
seates  after  this  done  they  haue  liberty  granted  to  them  by  the 
towne  at  the  sam  meeting  to  build  them  themselves  or  their  parents 
for  them  at  their  owne  cost  and  charge  in  such  a  place  or  places  as 
are  thought  most  meete  and  convenient  by  the  towne  and  those 
that  are  to  build  them  and  the  towne  haue  voted  to  submit  to  the 
comitees  order  herein 

and  the  commitee  chussen  by  the  towne  at  the  same  time  the 
persons  are  as  followethe 


Sergent  Parker 
Richard  Blood 
Joseph  Parker 


I  James  Knop 

Richard  Blood  V-  and 

)  John  Morsse 


42  EARLY   RECORDS    OF 

At  a  Generall  towne  meeting  held  Nouember  13  1672  It  was 
this  day  agreed  vpon  and  by  vote  declared  that  the  remainder  of 
the  pay  that  is  still  behind  for  the  building  the  seates  in  the  meet- 
ing house  shalbe  raised  in  a  generall  way  notwithstanding  all  other 
actes  done  to  the  contrary  either  by  towne  or  commitee 

William  Longley  seni  descenting 

At  a  meeting  of  the  select  men  no  13  72^  A  Towne  rate  made 
for  the  defraying  of  seuerall  towne  depts  and  put  into  the  consta- 
bles hand  to  gather  (viz) 

for  shuts  for  the  windows  of  the  meeting  house  100 
for  pay  for  the  coinitee  chussen  to  se  that  non  Incroach 

vpon  the  towne  common  i     16       o 

for  pay  for  a  woalfes  head  to  John  Nutting  010       o 

for  taking  an  Invoyse  030 

And  for  Timothy  Allen  050 

And  for  expenses  for  towne  and  countrey  o     ^5       o 

At  a  Generall  town=  meeting  decem  10  1672  chussen  for  consta- 
ble for  this  next  year  Richard  Holden 
And  for  the  sellect  men 

■  Major  Willard  ] 

Sergent  Parker  , 

<  >   and 

William  Longley       | 

[  James  ffiske  J 

for  surueyers  Thomas  Tarball  senL  Nathaniell  Lawrance 
for  veiwers  of  fences  Joseph  Gilson  &  Jacob  Onge 
for  to  look  after  swine  to  se  that  they  be  according  to  order 
James  Blood  &  Joseph  morsse  [34] 

At  a  meeting  of  the  sellect  men  Janevary  10  1672  a  committe 
chussen  to  meet  with  concord  committe  chussen  by  the  generall 
court  to  shew  them  the  south  line  and  the  line  runing  between 
groaten  and  the  new  plantation  and  the  nam[es]  of  the  men  are 
these 

Sergent  Parker  =  James  ffiske 
James  Knop 

At  a  Generall  towne  meeting  held  Janevary  13  1672  This  day 
agreed  vpon  and  by  vot  declared  that  their  shalbe  a  commit  chossen 


John  Page 
James  Knop 
John  Morsse 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  43 

for  to  seat  the  persons  in  the  meeting  house  according  to  their  best 
discretion  and  at  the  sam  time  a  commitee  chosen  and  their  names 
are  thess 

MaiorWiUard    .  (  sergent  Lakin 

Sergent  Parker  >•  and      •<  ^    ,  , 

T  £c  1  \  /  John  Lakin 

J ames  mske        J  K-' 

and  at  the  same  meeting  it  was  agitated  and  voted  that  all  the 
prohibitated  land  shalbe  proportioned  and  layd  out  to  the  severall 
Inhabetants  now  in  beeing  proportionable  according  to  what  they 
pay  in  their  publik  charges  as  shall  apear  in  mr  willards  rate  only 
Cornelius  Church  Peleg  Lawrance  John  Cooll  and  Samuell  Scriptur 
are  to  haue  a  proportion  out  of  it  the  surveying  of  it  and  the  laying 
of  it  out  is  commited  into  the  hands  of  a  committe  and  they  ar  as 
followeth 

sergent  Parker  Richard  Blood 
and  John  Lakin 

Agreed  vpon  at  the  same  meeting  that  those  men  that  layd  out 
the  hye  wayes  shalbe  payd  2  —  6  per  daye 

At  a  meeting  of  the  sellect  men  febr  12  1672  It  was  this  day 
agred  vpon  that  their  shalbe  three  heards  the  catell  shalbe  diuided 
into  three  heards  the  one  Reaching  from  Matthias  ffarnworths  and 
so  long  the  neck  to  James  fiskes  and  along  till  we  come  to  Pelleg 
Lawrances  which  heard  is  to  goe  out  by  Indian  hill  by  James 
ffisks  and  the  south  side  of  Rock  medow 

The  second  heard  to  begin  at  samuell  Woods  taking  nath  =  Law- 
rances and  thomas  smith  and  to  goe  along  till  we  come  at  Thomas 
Williams  and  William  Longley  taking  in  John  Lakins  and  his  neigh- 
bors catell  and  they  are  to  goe  out  with  their  heard  by  Nathaniell 
Lawrances  and  into  vnquetenorset  woods  by  Serg  lakins  and  Wil- 
liam Longleys  and  Richard  bloods 

The  third  heard  to  begin  at  timothy  [Coo]pers  and  along  the 
west  sid  of  broad  medow  to  Jonathann  Sawtells  taking  in  the  catell 
of  Richard  holden  and  Justin  and  they  likewise  are  to  goe  into 
vnquetenorset  woods  if  the  se  case  [35]  These  severall  angles 
are  to  hire  their  heards  man  if  the  major  part  of  any  company 
agreeing  theirto  the  minor  are  to  submite 

Concerning  Swine 
At  the  same  meetine:  it  was  ordered  to  that  end  our  medowes 


44  EARLY  RECORDS   OF  . 

and  cornfeilds  should  be  preserued  from  damage  it  is  ordered  that 
all  swine  that  goe  vpon  the  common  from  three  year  [month  inter- 
lineii~\  old  and  vpward  shalbe  ringed  with  two  sufficient  rings  in 
each  swines  nose  well  put  in  and  to  be  ringed  by  the  tenth  of 
March  and  so  continue  from  time  to  time  till  the  last  of  September 
and  to  that  end  they  may  be  soe  we  doe  furder  order  that  those 
men  that  are  chusen  to  look  after  swine  shall  haue  sixepence  a  swine 
for  euery  swine  that  they  find  vnringed  ins  the  towne  from  three 
months  old  and  vpward  and  male  it  apeare  legally  that  he  or  they 
haue  ringed  them  already  according  to  the  intent  of  this  order 

And  furder  we  doe  order  that  if  any  mans  swine  in  this  towne  talc 
any  mans  cornfield  beeing  legally  proued  the  owners  of  these  swine 
shall  forthwith  sufficiently  secure  them  by  yoking  them  or  shuting 
them  vp  vpon  the  penalty  of  paying  double  damage  after  the  first 
time  of  damage  beeing  done 

At  a  meeting  of  the  sellect  men  febr  26  72  Agreed  vpon  by 
the  sellect  men  that  this  division  of  land  which  is  granted  by  the 
towne  to  the  seuerall  Inhabitants  shalbe  as  foUoweth  by  proportion 
their  shalbe  one  acre  to  one  shill-  disbursement  in  mr  Willards 
Rat  and  we  doe  also  agree  that  of  this  land  that  was  prohibited 
shalbe  only  Indian  hill  and  the  hill  behind  Nath=  Lawrances 

and  we  doe  furder  agree  that  euery  Inhabitant  shall  haue  an 
equall  proportion  in  these  lands  according  to  disbursements  in  mr 
Willard  rat  and  for  the  rest  of  their  proportion  shalbe  else  wheir 
wheir  it  is  most  convenient  for  them  either  Joyning  to  their  medowes 
or  of  Oake  land  on  this  sid  the  Riuer 

only  Mr  Willard  shall  haue  a  proportion  to  a  forty  shilling  dis- 
bursement—  the  town  consenting  here  to 

Also  agreed  vpon  by  the  sellect  men  at  the  same  meeting  that  all 
such  as  haue  taken  in  any  of  the  towns  land  by  Incrachment  as 
haue  bin  determined  by  the  commitee  chussen  for  that  end  they 
shall  turne  it  out  to  the  coiiion  again  by  the  25  of  march  next  after 
the  date  heir  of  vpon  the  penalty  of  all  charges  that  they  shall  put 
the  town  to  for  the  vindecating  their  own  right 

and  a  committe  chussen  for  that  end  to  see  it  done  is  Sergent 
Lakin  Corporall  Parker  and  Daniell  Pearsse 

At  a  meeting  of  the  select  men  Janeuary  10  1672  a  commite 
chussen   to  meet  with  concord  men  chelmesford  men  and  Robert 


GROTON,    MASSACHUSETTS.  .^5 

blood  to  lay  out  the  way  to  the  bay  betwene  this  and  the  spring 
wheir  it  is  most  passable  and  the  commite  are  maior  willard  sergent 
parker  James  knop  The  maior  hauing  not  tim  to  atend  it  Richard 
Blood  is  chussen  by  the  towne  in  his  roume  at  a  towne  meeting 
march  17  72-73  [36] 

At  a  Generall  towne  meeting  held  March  7  1672-73  It  was  this 
day  agreed  vpon  and  by  vote  declared  that  diuisions  of  land 
shalb[e]  acording  to  our  first  grants  that  all  publik  charges  from 
this  day  forward  shalbe  raised  in  that  way  according  to  the  com- 
mites  order  and  our  first  seauen  years  payment 

Richard  Blood  and  William  Longley  senior  descenting 
Also  agreed  vpon  and  by  vote  declared  that  these  seuerall  psels 
of  land  here  specified  shall  from  hence  forward  lye  comon 

1  A  peice  of  comon  land  about  the  meeting  house  Bounded  by 
John  Nuting  Samuell  Kemp  James  Roberson  Timothy  cooper  Wal- 
ter Skinner  and  the  hye  way 

2  A  swamp  that  lye  by  John  Longley  Bounded  by  the  land  of 
William  Longley  se=  Richard  Blood  John  Page  and  Lanchester  hye 
wry 

3  A  peice  of  land  that  lye  Bounded  by  Samuell  Woods  Broad 
medow  Richard  Sawtell  and  the  Bay  hye  way 

4  All  the  Swamp  that  lye  Bounded  by  Joseph  Gilson  Timothy 
Allen  William  Lakin  and  y*  Bridge  that  Run  to  halfe  moone 
medow 

These  last  four  votes  appear  to  be  a  repetition  of  what  v^^as 
done  at  the  town  meeting,  held  February  13,  1670. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  sellect  men  Wheiras  by  the  prouidence  of 
god  the  Goodwife  Onge  beeing  in  a  sad  condition  and  her  case 
requiring  constant  care  and  Inspection  with  present  charge  and 
wheras  the  select  men  in  whose  care  it  lyes  liuing  remote  and  hard 
on  all  ocasions  to  be  caled  together  theirfor  we  doe  desire  and  im- 
powre  Sergent  parker  and  James  flfiske  as  a  commitee  to  Inspect 
and  tak  care  vpon  nesisary  ocasions  of  the  woman  and  her  child 
and  in  case  more  then  ordinary  herein  they  are  to  acquaint  the  rest 
of  the  select  men  that  so  this  sade  prouidence  of  god  may  bee 
caryed  on  with  Christianity  and  as  much  ffrugalitye  as  may  be  for 
the  towns  ease 

This  s"" :  4'*"  mo  1673 


46  EARLY   RECORDS    OF 

At  a  meeting  of  the  ssellect  men  may  28  73  Sergent  Parker  and 
corperall  knop  wer  chussen  a  comitte  to  meet  with  lancaster  men 
for  the  altering  the  high  way  to  lancaster  [37] 

Wedensday  4  of  June  1673      fiorasmuch  as  the  countrey  hye 

way  as  it  was  formerly  layd  out  by  Lankaster  and  groaten  vpon 

seuerall  yeares  triall,  proued  to  be  very  insufficient  and  very  difucult 

to  be  made  passable  in  regard  it  was  for  the  most  part  lyeing  in 

the   Intervailes   wheirin   their   are   seuerall   soft  places   and   litle 

brookes  vpon  which  bridges  and  other  mater  for  making  the  same 

passable  is  apt  to  be  raised    and   torne  vp  by  floods  and  vpon 

experiance  of  the  same  Lancaster  made  aplitation  to  groaten  for 

Remouing  of  the  said  way  to  Run  more  vpon  the  vpland  which 

was  Readily  atended  and  John  Prescott  seni=  and  Roger  Sumner 

for  Lancaster  and  sergent  Parker  and  corperall  Knop  for  groaten 

wer  chuse  committe  by  both  to  townes  to  lay  out  the  said  hye  way 

as  aforsaid  which  was  atended  the  day  aforsaid  as  followeth  (viz) 

first  within  the  bounds  of  groaten  they  toke  their  begining  at  their 

meeting  house  to  the  mille  of  Jonas  Prescott  by  Matthias  ffam- 

worths  his  house  six  Rods  wide  turning  of  out  of  the  common  mill 

way  near  twenty  Rod  aboue  the  mille  and  then  it  Runs  4  Rode  wid 

through  the  land  of  the  aforsaid  Jonas  Prescott  acording  as  it  is 

described  by  trees  marked  by  the  men  aforesaid  and  from  the  said 

Jonas  Prescotts  land  to  penicooke  Riuer  in  Lancaster  through  swan 

swamp  6   Rod  wide   as  it  is  already  marked  out  by  the  coinitte 

aforsaid  and  from  the  way  aforsaid  butting  vpon  Penicook  near  to 

the  night  pasture  wading  place,  they  tak  the  way  as  it  is  left  in 

width  through  the  Intervayle  and  ouer  nashaway  bridge  and  soe  to 

the  meeting  house  and  as  it  is  to  be  vnderstood  that  the  way  within 

lancaster  bounds  Runes  neare  the  mideway  betvveene  the  brook 

medow  and  plumtrees  medowes  ouer  a  hill  called  Mahaneknits  hill 

and  soe  along  on  the  vpland  to  the  pond  path  as  it  Runes  near  to 

the  Still  Riuer  medow  and  Josiah  Whits  medow  vntill  it  come  to 

the  Swan  Swamp  path  as  aforsaid  and  to  the  confirmation  hereof 

the  cornitte  aforesaid  haue  here  vnto  put  their  hands  the  day  and 

year  aboue  said 

John  Prescott 

Roger  Sumner 

James  Parker 

James  Knop 


GROTON,    MASSACHUSETTS.  47 

The  Twenty  shillings  due  to  andrew  the  Indian  from  the  towne 
for  his  warre  at  stonny  brook  assigned  by  the  sd  Indian  to  Richard 
Blood  the  sd  Richard  Blood  assigne  it  ouer  to  Leiftennant  James 
parker 

At  a  towne  meeting  no  19  1673  By  the  agrement  of  the  towne 
Jonas  Prescot  is  to  grind  the  towns  come  for  the  towne  euery 
second  day  and  euery  sixth  day  in  euery  weeke  [38] 

At  a  Generall  Towne  meeting  held  no:  19  1673  This  day  agreed 
vpon  and  by  vote  declared  that  Mr  Willard  rat  shalbe  raised  ptly  by 
vissible  estat  and  partly  by  accomodations  whatsoeuer  votes  hau 
past  formerly  to  the  contrary  as  also  it  was  agreed  vpon  that  euery 
man  hence  forward  shall  haue  their  draughts  of  land  according  to 
their  disbursements  and  those  y'  haue  them  not  shall  haue  them 
mad  vp  and  that  he  shall  haue  eighty  pound  for  this  present  yeare 
and  a  fourth  part  of  this  payment  to  be  payd  in  money  and  the 
other  sixty  pound  to  be  payd  in  all  sorts  of  graine  at  price  currant 
as  the  court  haue  determined  and  in  prouision  —  and  ten  pound  for 
his  firewood  which  is  to  be  payd  in  by  tim  preffixd  and  if  not  then 
to  pay  their  proportion  in  corne  or  prouision  and  also  agreed  vpon 
that  this  twenty  pound  in  money  is  to  be  payd  in  to  Cap'  Parker 
and  to  Richard  Blood  by  th  last  of  August  or  the  first  of  septem- 
next  —  as  also  henceforward  he  shall  haue  a  quarter  of  his  payment 
in  money  yearly 

At  a  Town  meeting  nouem=  24  1673  Graunted  vnto  Alexander 
Rousse  by  the  Towne  ten  acres  of  vpland 

At  a  Generall  Town  metting  December  10  1673 
ffor  constable  William  Longley  Seni 
ffor  Select  men 

Major  Willard 

Capt  parker 

Leif  Lakin 

Serg  ffisk  . 

ffor  Surveyers 

(  Richard  holden  |       ,  Serg  Lakin 

( John  Page  i  John  nutting  Se 


John  Morss 
>■  and       Serg  knop 
John  page 


48  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

ffor  veiwers  of  fences 

Corperall  Cady  Joseph  Morse  Timothy  Allen  Justin  holden 

Ifor  to  look  after  swine  that  they  be  according  to  law  and  towne 
order     Jonathan  Sawtell  Samuell  Kemp 

At  the  same  meeting  their  was  a  finall  agreement  betweene  the 
towne  and  Samuell  Davis  concerning  the  diflferance  that  was  about 
his  lands  that  is  to  say  thus  that  samuell  Davis  hau  Ingaged  to  rest 
satisfied  and  mak  noe  more  disturbance  about  his  lands  prouided 
the  bounds  doe  continue  as  they  were  befor  they  were  defaced  by 
the  last  committe  to  wit  Richard  blood  and  John  pag  and  that  he 
doe  Inioy  those  three  psells  of  land  in  the  generall  feild  in  the 
south  squadron  of  lots  namely  that  which  was  John  Nutting  and 
James  Knops  and  Thomas  Tarballs  seni  and  simon  stones  that  he 
had  of  captain  parker  and  that  samuell  Dauis  is  to  shew  the  com- 
mite  the  markes  of  these  lots  the  last  specified  and  they  are  to 
renew  them  and  this  being  done  samuell  Dauis  doe  acknowledge 
[him]selfe  fully  satisfied  for  all  diuision  [of]  lands  that  was  due  to 
him  from  the  begining  of  the  towne  to  this  present  [39] 

and  now  we  doe  agree  to  giu  him  a  Record  of  his  lande 

Samuell  Dauis  — 
John  Morsse  in  the  name  of  the  towne 

At  the  same  meeting  Timothy  Alen  was  agred  withall  by  the 
towne  to  swep  the  meeting  house  for  the  year  following  for  twenty 
shil 

Decem  13  73  The  Towne  committe  haue  condescended  vpon 
Samuell  Dauises  request  to  enterchang  two  jisells  of  land  specified 
in  the  former  agrement  to  wit  that  which  he  had  of  Thomas  Tarball 
senior  and  simon  stone  and  they  are  to  be  Joyned  to  the  south  sid 
of  the  line  of  that  diuision  of  land  lyeing  by  his  house  from  the  hye 
way  on  the  east  sid  soe  downe  to  the  River 


Samuell  Dauis 


John  Morse  dark 
William  Longlev 
John  Page 
Richard  holden 

marke  R 
Justin  houldin 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  49 

At  a  meeting  of  the  sellect  men  Janeva  13  1673  It  was  then 
agreed  vpon  and  by  vot  declared  that  all  such  towne  hye  wayes 
regulerly  layd  out  and  marked  out  with  the  townes  marke  all  the 
wood  and  timber  vpon  these  hye  wayes  soe  marked  from  halfe  a 
foote  and  vpward  at  the  Stub  walnut  trees  and  pine  trees  only 
exempted  shalbe  reserued  for  mending  of  hye  wayes  and  other 
publik  work  and  that  noe  man  shall  ffell  any  such  tree  or  trees 
vpon  the  penalty  of  ten  shillings  a  tree 

It  is  furder  agreed  vpon  that  that  order  concerning  swine  bearing 
date  the  year  69  shall  stand  for  this  present  yeare 

And  to  the  end  that  each  Inhabitant  of  this  towne  may  Injoy  the 
benefit  of  his  own  medow  and  prevent  censuring  of  and  beeing 
troubled  each  with  others  for  the  eating  vp  each  others  medows  we 
doe  order  that  if  any  of  our  Inhabitants  shall  haue  nead  to  let  their 
catell  goe  out  to  feed  befor  their  be  grasse  vpon  the  vpland  that 
they  shall  keep  them  vpon  their  owne  medows  or  any  of  the  towns 
coinon  and  not  vpon  any  mans  medow  that  is  in  propriety  without 
their  leaue  who  is  the  proprietors  their  of  vpon  the  penalty  of  pay- 
ing sixepence  a  beast  euery  time  that  any  catell  be  found  vpon  any 
mans  medow  either  vnder  the  hand  of  a  keeper  or  otherwise  and 
this  to  continue  till  the  later  end  of  haytime 

for  bearding  of  Cattell  the  agreement  of  the  sellect  men  it  is  that 
the  catell  in  the  towne  shalbe  diuided  into  three  beards  as  it  was 
the  last  yeare  and  what  euer  the  maior  pt  of  any  company  agree 
vpon  the  minor  part  is  to  consent  theirto 

At  a  generall  towne  meeting  held  Janevary  16  1673  At  the 
same  meeting  William  Longley  seni  was  fred  and  Jonathan  Morss 
was  chussen  constable  [40] 

At  the  same  meeting  Cap'  Parker  Leiftenant  Lakin  and  Serg 
Knop  were  chussen  for  a  commitee  to  lay  out  the  diuisions  of  land 
on  the  other  sid  of  the  Riuer  both  of  vpland  and  Enteruaill  to  euery 
man  their  proportions  and  to  butt  it  and  bound  it  ssufficiently  and 
to  mark  it  so  as  they  may  see  from  mark  to  marke  and  they  are  to 
haue  for  their  labour  one  half  penny  an  acre  for  the  vpland  and 
one  penny  half  penny  for  the  enteruaille 

At  a  Generall  Towne  meeting  held  December  11  1674  William 
Longley  sene  chusen  constable  for  the  year  ensueing 

capt  Parker  serge  ffisk  serge  Knop  ensine  Lawrance  Matthias 
ffarnworth  serge  Lakin  John  Morsse  chussen  for  sellect  men 


50  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

John  Morsse  chussen  Towne  Clark 

Chussen  for  ssurveyers  Thomas  Tarbell  sen  and  Samuell  woods 

for  veiwers  of  fences  John  Nutting  sene  and  William  Greene 

At  a  Generall  Towne  meeting  decern  21  74  Granted  to  William 
Longley  ju-  that  he  shall  haue  liberty  to  fell  those  trees  that  stand 
by  his  fence  shading  his  corn  to  the  sume  of  3  or  4  and  tha  he  will 
giu  the  Towne  as  many  trees  for  mending  hye  way  worke 

A  Rate  made  for  the  countrey  treasurer 

the  sume  containing 14 — 10  —  o 

and  commited  into  the  constable  Jonathan  Morses  his  hand  to 
gather  and  to  giu  an  account  of  the  principle  and  how  he  discharged 
the  bills  to  the  sellect  men  to  bring  an  acquitance  1674 

A  Rat  made  for  the  county  treasurer  the  sume  containing  4 — i — 5 
and  commited  into  the  hands  of  the  constable  William  Longley 
se=  to  gather  and  to  return  the  rest  of  the  pay  back  again  to  the 
towne 

Captain  Parker  payd  ten  pound  the  barell  of  powder 
discharging  Timothy  Allen  — i  —  o — o 

for  sweeping  the  meeting  house  and  his  own  bill  discharged  at  a 
meeting  of  the  sellect  men  30  10  m° — 1674 

At  a  meetting  of  the  sellect  men  febr  11  74  for  bearding  of  cat- 
tell  It  was  then  agred  vpon  that  euery  Inhabitant  shall  heard  their 
catell  that  is  to  heard  according  to  law  and  that  they  shalbe  diuided 
into  three  beards 

The  first  heard  beginning  at  Samvell  Woods  reaching  to  William 
Longley  and  to  serg  Lakin  and  his  neighbours  taking  in  Nathaniell 
bloo[d]  with  the  rest  of  those  that  Hue  their  with  Ensigne  Law- 
rance  and  Thomas  Smith 

The  second  heard  begining  at  Sergent  ffiske  and  driuing  out  by 
Pelleg  Lawrance  taking  in  cattell  belonging  to  the  neck  to  matthias 
ffarnworth  taking  in  the  catell  of  John  Barron 

The  third  heard  to  begine  at  Timothy  Cooper  and  along  the  west 
side  of  Broad  medo[w]  to  Jonathan  sawtell  takin  in  the  catell  [of] 
Ricliard  holden  and  Justin  [41]  and  that  these  seuerall  angles 
shall  heard  prouided  they  doe  their  best  endeavour  to  hire  a  heards- 
man  and  in  case  they  cannot  hire  a  heardman  for  12  shill  p  week 
that  company  is  at  their  liberty  whither  they  will  heard  or  how  pro- 
uided their  cattell  doe  not  exceed  abou  a  100 


GROTON,    MASSACHUSETTS.  51 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Sellect  men  febr  22  74  concerning  swine 
It  was  then  agreed  vpon  that  the  same  order  that  was  made  in  the 
year  69  shall  stand  for  this  present  year 

At  the  same  meetting  at  the  request  of  Matthias  ffarnworth  thir 
was  a  committe  chussen  to  veiw  a  piece  of  land  that  he  desire  by 
way  of  exchaung  with  the  towne  or  otherwis  that  may  be  for  his 
convenience  and  to  bring  the  report  to  the  towne  and  the  land  lye 
from  the  Bridg  by  his  own  house  along  his  own  land  to  Justin 
holdens  land  on  both  sids  James  Brook  and  he  is  to  satisfie  the 
committe  for  their  paynes  if  they  desir  any  thing 

and  the  names  of  the  committe  are  sergent  Knop  Thomas  Tar- 
ball  sen=  Benjamin  Crispe  Ellis  Barron  se=  Daniell  Pearse 

as  also  It  is  agreed  vpon  that  noe  man  shall  put  away  any  of 
their  catell  from  any  of  these  seuerall  companyes  as  they  are  now 
stated  by  the  sellect  men  vntill  they  haue  done  their  best  endeavour 
to  hire  a  heardsman  as  before  for  twelue  shill  p  week  vpon  penalty 
of  paying  the  full  prise  as  the  rest  of  their  neighbours  for  specya 
and  tim 

At  a  Towne  meeting  March  3  74-75  granted  vnto  Nicolas  Cady  a 
small  peice  of  land  by  way  of  exchaung  at  brown  loaf  plaine  ad- 
joyning  to  his  owne  land  y'  he  had  of  Captain  parker  for  a  peice  of 
land  the  same  quantyty  at  browne  loaf  medow 

At  the  same  meeting  graunted  to  Thomas  Smith  a  peice  of  land 
of  forty  poll  by  way  of  exchaunge  below  his  house  adjoyning  to  his 
own  land  in  the  corner  next  to  Samuell  Woods  and  William 
Greenes  land 

At  a  meeting  of  the  sellect  men  march  3  1674-75  chusen  Captain 
Parker  serg  Knop  and  Justin  holden  to  renew  the  bounds  between 
moshobo  and  our  bounds  And  also  chusen  to  lay  out  a  hye  way 
betweene  Dunstable  and  this  Towne  captain  Parker  and  serg 
Knop 

At  a  meeting  of  the  sellect  men  Jully  2  Jully  22  75  a  rat  made 
for  the  defraying  of  the  charg  of  the  ware  and  put  in  to  the  hand 
of  William  Longley  constable  to  gather  the  sume  23I  14!  4  added 
7  shill  more  than  the  Just  proportion  [42] 

At  a  Generall  Town  meeting  held  October  20  1675  Agreed 
vpon  and  by  vote  declared  that  our  Reuerand  Pastor  shall  haue 


52  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

eighty  pound  for  this  present  year  sixty  1  in  Come  and  prwisi[ons] 
forty  pound  of  it  to  be  payd  betwixt  this  and  y"  twenty  fiue  of 
December  next  ensueing  and  the  other  20I  to  be  payd  in  the  spring 
of  the  yeare  vnlesse  god  by  some  speciall  prouidence  Doe  preuent 
and  the  other  20I  to  be  payd  in  money  the  last  of  august  or  the 
first  of  September  in  the  year  1676 

and  40  cord  of  wood  to  be  proportioned  according  to  euery  mans 
proportion  to  be  caryed  in  now  pressently     x 

At  a  General!  Towne  meeting  held  no=  8  1675  ^^  was  this  day 
agreed  vpon  and  by  vote  declared  that  their  should  be  a  committe 
chussen  to  treat  with  Mr  Willard  about  sending  down  to  the  gen- 
erall  court  to  Enforme  and  supplicat  to  them  that  we  may  haue 
payd  to  vs  what  is  our  due  from  the  countrey  and  also  that  the 
Billit  of  the  souldiers  may  be  vpon  the  countreys  account  and  also 
agreed  vpon  that  if  this  would  not  doe  for  to  stand  it  out  at  law 
with  them 

and  the  commitee  chussen  was  Cap'  Parker  Leiftenant  Lakin 
William  Longley  seni=  John  Page 

At  a  Generall  Towne  meeting  held  Decem  9  75  It  was  this  day 
agreed  vpon  and  by  vot  declared  that  the  soldiers  that  are  still  re- 
maining in  the  town  shalbe  continued  in  the  towne  at  the  town 
charg  till  such  tim  as  we  hear  a  returne  from  the  army  goei[ng] 
against  the  naroganset  and  then  the  towne  to  meet  againe  to  con- 
sider what  is  furder  to  be  done 

At  a  Generall  Towne  meeting  held  Dec  10  1675  Chussen  for 
constable  for  that  yeare  following  William  Greene 

for  sellect  men  Cap'  Parker :  Leiftenant  Lakin  William  Longley 
se=  Serg'  ffisk  John  Morsse 

for  surueyers  Thomas  Tarball  sen=  Samuell  Woods 

for  veiwers  of  ffences  John  nutting  sen=  Corporal!  Cady  [43] 

This  is  the  last  record  of  any  meeting  held  before  the  de- 
struction of  the  town  by  the  Indians,  March  13,  1676.  The 
inhabitants  then  were  compelled  to  forsake  their  homes,  and 
did  not  return  until  the  spring  of  1678. 

At  a  generall  town  metting  of  the  inhabitants  of  groaton  warned 
by  Captin    Parcer   leftenant   lacin    insine   lorranc   and   Goodman 


GROTON,    MASSACHUSETTS.  53 

morse  and  asembled  at  Concord  the  (la'*")  of  the  (lo"')  munth : 
1677  :  Such  as  wear  present  did  then  and  thear  agree  that  if  the 
prouidenc  of  god  preuent  not  by  death  or  sicknes  or  by  the  Enimy 
that  then  we  will  goo  vp  in  the  spring  follooing  and  begin  to  Re- 
payer  our  habitations  againe  if  god  parmitt  and  for  ye  true  pur- 
phormanc  of  this  agrement  we  doe  ingeage  the  forfiture  of  our 
wholle  Right  in  groaton  unto  those  that  doo  goe  vp  and  cary  on  the 
work  and  to  this  agrement  we  heaue  bear  sett  to  our  hands 

James  Parker  sen 
Richard  Blood 
William  Lakin 
nathannil  lawrence 
Jonathan  Sawtell 
John  Morsse 
James  Knap 
Samuell  Wood 

his  1—  mark 
Nathanell  blud 

his  ^  mark 
Thomas  Tarball 
•  John  tarbell 

John  Parish 
Peleg  Lorranc 

Voatted  that  all  publick  charges  for  this  present  year  insuing 
shall  be  Raysed  vppon  the  furst  deuision  of  land  :  grantted  or 
acomidation  of  lands : 

chosen  to  warn  a  town  metting  goodman  blud  leftenant  lakin 
Sargent  knop  Insine  lorranc  &  thomas  tarball  Seneyer  this  met- 
ting to  be  the  furst  thuseday  in  marche  and  this  metting  .  .  .  town 
offisers  to  nominal  .  .  .  other  publick  charges  this  metting  to  be 
at  groaten  [44] 

The  meeting  mentioned  in  the  following  entry  was  undoubt- 
edly the  first  one  that  was  held  subsequently  to  the  return  of 
the  inhabitants  after  the  destruction  of  the  town.  It  was 
probably  on  "the  furst  thuseday  in  marche,"  1677-8,  which 
day  fell  on  the  fifth  of  the  month.  The  record  is  signed  with 
the  name  of  James  Parker,  senior,  though  neither  the  record 


54  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

nor  the  signature  are  in  his  handwriting.  There  is  some 
resemblance,  however,  between  it  and  that  of  his  son,  Josiah, 
who,  a  few  years  later,  was  the  town  clerk. 

\_Date  torn  off.'\ 
At  a  general  towne  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  Gro[ton]  warned 
we  did  then  and  thar  agre  and  by  desair  that  the  publick  charges 
should  be  raised  for  this  present  year  upon  the  furst  deuishan  of 
medow  and  in  whaus  handes  soeuer  y'  furst  deuishan  shall  apeer  to 
be  he  or  thay  shall  pay  y*  charges  that  dus  arise  upon  them 
Jonathan  Morses  desent 

That  pees  of  land  that  lyes  betwen  Samuell  Wodes  land  and  the 
high  way  y'  goes  to  y*  bay  and  the  highway  that  gos  to  sargant 
knapes  end  is  granted  to  Jonas  prescot  or  his  brother  Jonathan 
prescot  prouided  ether  of  them  come  and  buld  and  liue  up  on  it 
betwen  this  and  next  winter  and  ther  is  to  be  a  cart  way  in  it  to 
broad  medow : 

James  Parker  sen. 
in  the  name  of  the  select  men.  [45] 

James  Parker,  the  seventh  town  clerk,  was  one  of  the  orig- 
inal proprietors  of  Groton  and  a  distinguished  man  in  his  day. 
He  held  the  office  during  1678  —  the  year  of  the  return  of 
the  inhabitants  who  had  been  driven  off  by  the  Indians  —  and 
1679.  A  petition,  dated  May  20,  1679,  is  found  at  the  State 
House,  among  the  Massachusetts  Archives  (lxix.  224), 
which  is  signed  by  him  as  town  clerk,  though  his  election 
does  not  appear  in  the  records.  He  was  one  of  the  first  board 
of  selectmen  chosen  by  the  inhabitants,  at  which  time  he  is 
called  Deacon ;  subsequently  he  is  styled  Sergeant  and  after- 
wards Captain.  His  house  lot  lay  on  both  sides  of  the  prin- 
cipal street  in  the  village,  just  south  of  the  small  stream  which 
to  this  day  is  called  James's  Brook,  named  after  him.  The 
house  was  one  of  the  garrisons  during  King  Philip's  War,  and 
it  was  with  Captain  Parker  that  the  Indian  chief,  on  the  night 
of  March  13,  1676,  talked,  as  mentioned  in  Hubbard's  "Nar- 
rative." In  advanced  life  he  married  for  the  second  time,  and 
had  a  daughter  born  after  he  was  eighty  years  old.  He  died 
in   1 70 1,  aged  about  eighty-four  years,  leaving  a  will  dated 


GROTON,    MASSACHUSETTS.  55 

May  25,  1700,  in  which  he  mentions  a  large  number  of  chil- 
dren and  grandchildren,  after  providing  for  the  daughter  of 
his  old  age. 

The  following  names  of  the  original  proprietors  of  Groton 
are  found  on  a  loose  leaf,  and  appear  to  be  in  the  handwriting 
of  the  person  who  made  the  records  for  James  Parker,  given 
on  the  preceding  page.  For  that  reason  the  list  is  printed  in 
this  place.  The  figures  indicate  the  number  of  acre-rights 
owned  by  each  individual : 

The  furst  Grant  of  euery  man  in  this  town 


Cap'  James  Parker 

050 

Willam  Marting 

20 

Sargunt  Lacken 

20 

Lef  Willam  Lacken 

20 

Robard  Blood 

20 

Richard  Blood 

60 

James  Blood 

20 

Joseph  Blood 

10 

Thimothey  Alen 

20 

John  Page 

20 

Willam  Longely  sener 

30 

John  Longly 

10 

Sam  Daues 

20 

Mat  farnneth  sener 

20 

Thomas  tarball  sener 

20 

Richard  satall 

20 

James  fiske 

20 

John  Lawranc 

20 

M^  Willard 

20 

Richard  holding 

18 

Simon  Stone 

18 

John  Nutting 

17 

James  Knop 

IS 

John  Clarey 

15 

Ralph  Read 

IS 

Elas  baran 

IS 

Joseph  Parker 

20 

$6  EARLY   RECORDS    OF 


John  Mors 

12 

Nathanell  Lawranc 

lO 

Danell  Pearce 

lO 

Willam  green 

14 

Samuell  VVods 

II 

Thomas  Boyeden' 

07 

John  Baran 

07 

James  Robson 

\       07 

Ben  garfell 

10 

Christephor  hall 

10 

Joseph  Morse 

OS 

Willam  Elue 

OS 

Jonathan  Satall 

OS 

Jonathan  Crisp 

08 

- 

Joshua  Whitney 

08 

Jacob  Onge 

06 

Thomas  Tarbull  Juner 

06 

Joseph  lawranc 

OS 

John  Paresh 

OS 

Joseph  gilson 

09 

Water  Seiner 

09 

Thomas  Willams 

OS 

Just  holding 

07 

Zachariah  SatuU 

10 

groton  the.  4.  6.  mo"")  1679  ^^  ^  meeting  of  y"'  select  men  thay 
deed  agree  that  all  the  swine  in  shall  be  yoked  from  this  time  to 
the  last  of  Sabtember  next  y*  are  to  be  yoked,  by  ye  tweluet  of 
this  month,  and  Joseph  parker  sen  and  willam  longly  Juner  are 
choues  to  see  y'  swine  are  sofishantly  yoked  by  the  time  &  if  y* 
find  them  unyoked  y*  are  to  yoke  them  and  to  haue  six  penc  a 
swine  for  yoken  them  to  be  payed  by  the  oners  of  y*  swine 

at  the  same  meeting  the  select  men  chouesen  willam  green  and 
samuell  woods  to  uiew  y^  fences  in  the  towene  to  see  whether  thay 
are  sofishant  acording  to  towene  order  y'  is  a  sofishant  fine  raile 
fenc  or  y'  which  is  equelint  and  thay  shall  be  payed  acording  to 
law  [46] 

Desember — the  11 — 79  att  a  towne  meting  in  groto[n]  it  was 
agreed  for  the  yeare  insuing  provided  that  the  towne  due  bilde  a 
meting  house  then  fiftie  pounds  for  this  yeare 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  57 

At  a  towne  meting  the  23  Desembr  the  select  Chosen  Captayne 
parker  leiutenant  lakin  sargin  lakin  ensgne  larrence  sargin  knop 
Richard  blud  John  Mos  he  being  the  towne  Clarke 

December  the  30  Att  a  towne  meting  was  granted  to  Jonas 
prescat  six  accors  of  land  liing  betwene  matthias  and  Justin  houl- 
den  he  being  liable  from  this  time  forward  to  pay  for  a  ten  acors 
acomedations 

This  is  to  testifie  that  I  Jonas  prescot  of  groton  haue  Changed 
this  granted  land  with  matthias  farnorth  of  The  same  towne  for 
sicth  accors  and  a  quarter  more  or  less  ling  vpon  the  Indian  hill 
over  against  Thomas  boyden 

The  entries  from  December  11  are  in  Richard  Blood's 
handwriting. 

John  Morse,  the  sixth  town  clerk,  was  also  the  eighth  in  the 
order  of  succession,  holding  the  office  during  the  years  1680 
and  1681. 

At  a  towne  meeting  Jun  8.  80  it  was  agred  that  that  meeting 
vpon  december  30    it  was  noe  town  meeting 

At  a  generall  Town  meeting  held  June  8  1680  It  was  this  day 
declared  and  by  a  majer  part  by  vot  declared  that  the  meeting 
house  shall  stand  wheir  the  other  meeting  house  or  some  wheir 
their  about. 

It  was  also  the  same  day  and  at  the  same  time  voted  that  the 
meeting  house  shall  stand  some  wheir  betwene  M'  hubards  house 
and  the  Brook  by  the  Captains 

At  the  same  meeting  chusen  for  surveyors 

Nicolas  Cady  William  Green 

Jonas  Prescot  John  Parish 

for  viewers  of  fences 

Samuell  Woods  John  Barron 

At  a  Generall  Town  meeting  held  Jun  8  1680  At  the  same 
meeting  was  giuen  to  Thomas  Beall  of  linn  tanner  ten  acres  of 
land  by  the  town  prouided  he  come  and  liue  among  them  and 
he  not  alienating  nor  selling  it 


58  EARLY  RECORDS   OF 

At  the  same  meeting  was  giuen  to  Joshua  Wheat  the  same  priui- 
ledg  that  was  giuen  to  Thomas  Smith  (viz.)  that  he  shall  hau  a 
quarter  of  an  acre  on  this  sid  the  run  Joyning  to  his  own  line 

A  small  slip  of  land  granted  to  William  Longley  juni :  of  about 
20  poll  of  land  adjoyning  to  his  owne  land  bounded  by  the  hye 
way: 

A  small  slip  of  land  granted  by  the  towne  to  Samvell  holden  of 
about  forty  or  fifty  poll  Bounded  by  a  whit  Pak  tre  which  stand  by 
the  hye  way  sid  and  soe  Run  along  by  the  hye  way  till  it  com  to  a 
heap  of  Burches  about  2  poll  from  that  which  is  our  proper  mark  a 
walnut  tree  [47] 

June  15  1680  on  a  training  day  Granted  vnto  Jonas  Prescot 
that  hee  should  tak  vp  a  peice  of  land  at  stony  Brook  in  referance 
to  the  siting  vp  of  a  mill  their  and  he  is  to  tak  it  vp  on  the  right 
hand  of  the  Bay  path  adjoyning  to  the  pond  and  he  is  not  to  com 
over  the  path  and  he  is  to  run  from  Chelmesford  lin  to  the  lin  of 
Serg'  Knop  and  so  much  as  he  tak  vp  their  he  is  to  lay  down  as 
much  again  at  one  of  the  ends  of  his  land  that  lye  wheir  the  mill 
now  standeth  2  acres  for  one  at  stony  Brook  and  he  is  to  be  at  the 
charg  of  taking  vp  and  laying  downe  of  the  one  and  of  the  other 

At  a  meeting  of  the  select  men  noumbr  i  1680  John  Pag  and 
John  Morsse  chussen  to  tak  the  enuoys  of  the  towne  [48] 

ID  of  the  10"'  m°  1680  for  81     At  a  generall  towne  meetting  held 
ffor  constables  chussen 

Jonas  Prescott    William  Longley 
ffor  sellect  men  for  the  year  ensuing 

Ensigne  Lawrance  John  Morss  Jonathan  Morsse 
Jonas  Prescott   serg  Knop  William  Greene  Joshua  Whitney 
ffor  Town  dark  Jn°  Morsse 
ffor  Clark  of  the  writes 

ffor  Sealler  of  weights  and  measurs  Jonathan  Sawtell 
ffor  Survyers  for  this  yeare 

Henry  Willard  and  Samuell  Woods 
ffor  veiwers  of  fences  and  to  see  that  swine  bee  ringed  and  yoked 

John  Nutting  and  Obadia  Sawtell 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  59 

A  committe  chussen  to  veiw  and  to  giue  Instructions  to  the 
ssellect  men  to  act  in  town  affaires,  which  men  are  Capt  Parker 
Richard  Blood  Leiftenant  Lakin  Serg'  Lakin  John  Page 

ffor  Tithing  men  John  Pag  Henry  Willard  James  Parker  ju : 
John  Barron  sworne  22  10  m°  80 

At  the  sam  meeting  it  was  agred  vpon  by  the  town  that  they  will 
giu  to  M"  Huberd  seaventy  pound  for  this  year  ensueing  and  to 
pay  him  in  corn  Indian  wheat  Rye  barley  at  price  curant  as  the 
Court  Stat  it  and  in  other  prouission  as  god  blesse  vs  withall  and 
30  cord  of  wood  to  be  proportioned  by  the  sellect  men  according 
to  euery  mans  proportion  to  be  payd  by  the  first  of  March  and  hee 
that  doe  not  pay  him  by  that  tim  he  is  to  pay  him  6^  p  cord  in 
Indian  come  and  that  euery  man  is  to  pay  him  the  first  part  of 
his  maintenanc  within  the  first  half  year  and  the  other  half  within 
the  yeare 

At  a  town  meeting  held  22  of  the  10  m°  1680  It  was  then  by 
vote  declared  that  they  will  giu  to  Mr  hubert  for  this  present  year 
fifty  pound  and  a  quarter  part  of  it  in  money 

At  the  same  meeting  it  was  agreed  vpon  and  by  vote  declared 
that  the  differanc  concerni  the  meeting  housse  should  be  refferd 
into  the  hands  of  thes  twelv  men  viz  cap*  parker  Richard  blood 
leift  lakin  Ensign  lawranc  sergt  lakin  serg  Knop  John  Pag  Jonas 
Prescot  John  Morsse  Joshua  Whitney  William  green  Jonathan 
Morss  and  in  cass  these  twelue  men  canot  agree  they  hau  full 
power  to  chuse  a  committe  to  put  a  finall  conclusion  to  Issue  the 
debat  forthwith  [49] 

An  addition  to  the  former  Instructions  giuen  by  the  committee 
chussen  by  the  town  in  the  year  1680     10  of  the  10  m° 

I  That  the  ssellect  men  shall  tak  a  prudent  and  spedy  coursse 
that  the  meeting  housse  worke  shall  goe  on  and  to  that  end  they  stir 
vp  the  constable  y'  he  collect  the  pay  that  it  be  in  a  readyness  to 
pay  the  workmen  for  their  work  according  to  couenant  made  with 
them  :  and  that  they  let  out  the  rest  of  the  work  so  as  it  may  be 
most  for  the  aduantage  of  the  town  and  the  meeting  house  beeing 
finished  in  y*  place  wheir  now  it  standeth  the  ssellect  men  are  to 
giu  an  account  to  the  town  at  their  years  end  of  their  receipt  of 
rates  and  the  Improument  of  their  disbursments 


6o  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

2  Morouer  they  ar  to  tak  an  account  of  the  constabl  y'  rates  that 
are  commited  to  them  of  their  Improument  and  disbursments  and 
that  the  ouerplust  if  any  it  may  be  Improued  to  the  towns  aduan- 
tag 

3  flfurther  mor  when  their  is  an  occasion  for  a  towne  meeting  the 
ssellect  men  are  to  giu  seasonabl  warning  of  it  and  the  seuerall 
perticulers  that  are  to  be  discoursed  of  that  day  and  if  their  be  an 
envoyse  to  be  taken  the  seuerall  Inhabitants  ^are  to  bring  it  in  that 
day  either  by  bill  or  som  other  muney  and  if  any  person  neglect 
the  sam  they  must  expect  to  be  rated  by  will  and  doome 

4  And  what  euer  rates  that  are  to  be  transmited  from  the  ssellect 
men  to  the  constables  each  mans  estat  shalbe  transcribed  on  the 
one  sid  and  their  sum  on  the  other 

5  And  what  euer  mistakes  in  any  mans  Rate  that  doe  apear 
heartofor  they  are  to  be  amended  in  the  next  rates 

6  And  what  euer  deffect  or  mistake  that  doe  apear  in  any  thing 
that  doe  concerne  the  meeting  hous  they  shall  endeavour  to  amend 
and  rec''  the  sam 

7  And  that  all  rules  henc  forward  that  are  mad  by  the  sellect 
men  shalbe  set  down  in  the  town  book  with  their  sumes 

7  The  ssellect  men  shall  se  that  the  Rates  referring  for  the  tim 
past  made  for  the  defraying  of  M'  Huberds  sallery  shalbe  cleared 
and  a  generall  acquitance  taken  of  M'  Huberd  for  the  same  and 
that  it  be  recorded  in  the  town  Book  and  so  from  year  to  yeare  the 
lik  car  shalbe  taken  by  the  ssellect  men 

8  That  the  ssellet  men  shall  take  care  that  noe  trashant  person  or 
persons  coming  in  to  this  towne  may  abid  so  long  in  the  towne 
without  warning  as  that  continuing  may  not  becom  a  charg  to  the 
towne 

ID  That  the  ssellect  men  doe  what  they  can  to  healle  the  differ- 
ences that  are  in  the  towne  in  their  managing  the  prudentiall  affairs 
of  the  town  and  doe  no  thing  to  Increasse  and  augment  the  same 

James  Parker: 
Richard  Blood 
William  Lakin 
John  Lakin 
John  Page  [50] 

It  was  agreed  vpon  by  the  towne  that  Pelleg  Lawranc  shall  pay 
to  a  fine  acre  right  from  the  day  it  w^as  granted  and  henceforward 
decern.  22      1680 


GROTON,    MASSACHUSETTS.  6t 

Also  at  the  same  tim  granted  that  he  shall  hau  an  addition  of  an 
acre  and  halfe  right 

It  was  agred  vpon  and  by  vote  declared  that  whateuer  votes  hau 
formerly  past  that  they  shalbe  of  non  effect  now  they  will  for  this 
present  year  giii  to  Mr  Huberd  fifty  fiu  pound  a  quarter  part  of  it 
money 

Also  agreed  vpon  and  voted  that  hee  shall  haue  30  Cord  of  wood 
for  this  present  yeare 

The  24  of  the  10  m° —  1680  The  committe  chussen  by  the  towne 
to  end  the  differanc  that  was  in  the  town  referring  to  the  meeting 
house  whose  names  are  in  the  town  book  haue  agreed  as  foUoweth 

I  That  we  doe  forgiue  each  other  wheirin  we  haue  qeen  Instru- 
mintall  of  greiuing  each  other  in  word  or  deed  referring  to  the  dif- 
ferance  and  that  for  the  tim  to  com  we  will  doe  what  we  can  to 
promote  and  increase  lou  and  doe  nothing  to  break  the  peace  now 
mad  reffering  to  our  agrement  about  the  standing  2  and  goe- 
ing  on  to  finish  the  meeting  house  in  the  place  wheir  now  it 
standeth  and  indeuvor  to  satisfie  silence  all  our  Inhabitants 

That  the  persons  that  drew  the  timber  for  the  meeting  house 
from  doeing  it  without  order  shall  haue  nothing  for  their  work  vn. 
less  particuler  men  will  alow  them  any  thing  on  their  own  good 
will 

3  That  thos  that  raised  the  meeting  house  shall  bear  their  own 
cost  a  charg  both  for  tim  and  prouision 

4  That  the  wholl  towne  shall  goe  on  joyntly  to  gether  to  finish 
the  meeting  hous  with  all  convenient  speed  without  any  regret  or 
reflexion  one  vpon  another  in  the  place  wheir  now  it  standeth 

At  a  meeting  of  the  sellect  men  febr  8.  1680  for  bearding  of 
cattell 

It  is  ordered  by  the  sellect  men  that  all  the  neat  Catell  from  one 
year  old  and  vpward  shalbe  hearded  in  these  heard  as  followeth 

The  first  heard  begining  at  Ensigne  Lawrances  and  so  tak  in 
Samuel!  Woods  and  James  Roberson  and  Richard  Bloods  and  all 
the  Cattell  within  this  Rang  this  heard  is  to  goe  out  three  dayes  in 
the  week  by  William  Longleys  or  wheir  the  company  of  the  heard 
shall  agree  and  three  daj^es  in  the  week  from  Richard  Bloods  end 
to  Ensigne  Lawrances  and  so  into  the  woods  Richard  Blood  is  to 
bring  his  catell  and  James  Roberson  and  others  that  Hue  out  of  the 


62  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

rood  of  the  heard  into  the  way  wheir  the  heard  is  agreed  vpon  to 
goe  out  the  major  part  of  the  heardurs  agreeing 

The  second  heard  begining  at  Matthis  ffarnworthe  and  so  driu 
to  Jonas  Prescots  and  John  Barron  is  to  bring  his  Cattell  to  the 
Bridg  by  Ellis  Barrons  this  heard  is  to  goe  out  by  Pelleg  Law- 
rances  and  so  all  the  catell  in  this  rang  and  tliis  heard  is  to  goe  out 
three  dayes  in  the  week  by  Pelleg  Lawrance  driuing  from  Matthias 
ffarnworths  and  three  dayes  in  the  week  by  Matthias  ffarnworth 
driuing  from  Pelleg  Lawrance 

The  third  heard  is  to  tak  in  all  the  catell  on  the  west  sid  of 
Broad  medow  begining  at  Samuell  Kemps  and  all  the  Rang  of 
catell  to  Justin  Holden  and  Samuell  Dauis  so  driuing  out  by  James 
Brok     [51] 

And  It  is  ordered  that  all  those  that  refus  [to]  heard  with  the 
comons  of  that  heard  he  belong  to  shall  pay  an  equall  proportion 
with  thos  that  heard  in  that  heard 

fFor  the  preuenting  of  damag  doing  by  swine  1680  febr  8  It  is 
ordered  by  the  sellect  men  that  all  swin  from  three  months  old 
and  vpward  shalbe  sufficiently  Ringed  in  the  nose  from  the  first 
of  aprill  till  the  last  of  nouember  and  the  owners  of  them  shall 
keep  them  thus  Ringed  the  whoU  tim  and  if  any  person  be  deffec- 
tiu  in  not  keeping  this  order  their  shalbe  sixe  pence  leiued  vpon 
euery  swin  soe  often  as  they  be  found  deffectiu  and  those  men  which 
are  chosen  to  see  that  swine  be  according  to  this  order  shall  hau 
halfe  of  the  fine  halfe  to  thes  men  and  halfe  to  the  townes  vse 

It  is  furder  orderd  that  all  swine  shalbe  sufficiently  yoked  from 
the  last  of  aprill  till  the  last  of  September  and  thos  persons  who 
are  to  se  to  this  order  finding  any  swine  within  the  habitable  parts 
of  the  towne  without  yok  shall  haue  sixe  pence  halfe  shall  returne 
to  the  vse  of  the  towne  and  the  other  halfe  to  the  ouerseers  and 
they  must  giu  the  owners  of  the  swine  seasonable  warning 

It  is  furder  ordered  by  the  select  men  that  all  fence  shalbe  set  vp 
by  the  fifteene  day  of  aprill  a  sufficient  fence  of  fine  Raills  or  ae- 
quivolent  to  it  sufficiently  done  and  those  persons  which  are  to  se  to 
the  performance  of  this  order  which  shall  find  any  fence  Insuffi- 
cient and  not  according  to  this  order  they  shall  giue  the  owners  of 
the  fence  sufficient  warning  to  pay  or  mak  vp  this  fence  and  and  if 
the  owners  refuse  they  are  to  mend  vp  the  fence  at  their  owne  charg 
and  exact  double  pay  vpon  the  owners  of  the  fence 


GROTON,    MASSACHUSETTS.  63 

A  Rat  mad  for  the  meeting  house  frame  and  truly  cast  vp  by  the 
sellect  men  and  the  Just  sume  is  32        14       8 

The  town  Rat  beeing  truly  cast  vp  by 
the  sellect  men  to  pay  for  wolues  heads 

the  sume  is  864 

The  Towne  rat  for  the  powder  and 
ammunetion  beeing  truly  cast  vp  by  the  sellect  men 

and  the  sum  is  10       8       8 

A  Rat  made  for  Mr  Hoberd  for  the  year  1679 
beeing  truly  cast  vp  by  the  sellect  men 

and  the  Just  sum  is  51     11     11 

A  Rat  made  for  Mr  huberd  for  the  year  1680 
beeing  truly  cast  vp  by  the  sellect  men 

and  the  Just  sum  is  50     12       4 

A  Rate  made  by  the  sellect  men  for  couering 
the  meeting  house  Roof  and  sides  windows  dores 
stairs  and  Pulpit  and  the  Just  sum  is  44       2       5 

[52] 

At  a  generall  Town  meeting  febr  18  1680  It  was  then  agreed 
vpon  and  voted  that  the  old  Commitee  chusen  shold  perfect  their 
work  in  laying  out  the  hye  way  to  Concord  * 

At  the  same  meeting  it  was  voted  that  the  town  would  haue  the 
southeast  line  against  Meshobee  Run  and  they  would  bear  the 
charges  and  haue  all  the  profit 

At  the  same  meet  ng  it  was  agreed  vpon  and  voted  that  M"^  Hub- 
berd  should  haue  all  the  cofuon  which  was  capable  to  mak  medow 
in  swan  pond  medow  vp  to  the  vpland  for  seauen  acre  and  a  halfe 
for  to  mak  vp  his  fifteen  acres  of  medow 

1 68 1  25d  im  the  seleckt  men  did  ordr  Jonathan  satell  con- 
stibll  too  pay  Richard  blood  fiften  shilings  and  sixpens  for  wolfs 

This  datt  is  payd  [//?  Blood's  handwriting.'] 

At  a  generall  town  meeting  at  Groton  June  13^  168 1  Then 
granted  to  Jonas  Prescot  liberty  to  set  vp  his  Corne  mill  at  stony 
Brook  on  the  sid  next  Concord  in  any  place  betweene  the  spring 
and  the  Bridg  and  to  haue  liberty  to  mak  vse  of  soe  much  and  noe 
more  of  the  water  as  may  sufficiently  serue  for  the  sayd  mill  pro- 
uided  that  what  damag  theirby  may  be  to  the  towne  high  way  the 
sayd  Jonas  Prescot  shall  at  his  owne  charg  constantly  make  good 

[53] 


64  EARLY  RECORDS   OF 

Owing  to  the  want  of  chronological  arrangement  in  making 
the  entries,  the  paging  of  the  record-book  after  this  place  will 
not  be  indicated  within  brackets. 

in  groten  i6  June  1681  thar  is  layed  out  for  Palig  Loranc  and 
ajoyning  too  and  bounding  upon  the  south  by  swan  pond  medow 
Eleuen  acers  and  a  half  lauing  Rome  Round  his  medow  acordin 
too  Town  order  and  bounded  upon  other  sids  by  the  Comon 

allso  8  ayte  ackers  and  a  halfe  a  litU  distant  northword  and 
bounded  on  all  sides  by  comon  land  the  lins  being  extant  by  marked 
trees  and  stackes 

thes  too  parsils  of  land  ware  layd  out  by  me  John  fflint 

Recorded  by  me  John  Mors  Clarke 

This  aboue  written  of  Peleg  Lawrances  land  by  Agreement  is  by 
Peleg  Laurance  relinquished  &  yeild  to  M""  Hobart :  March  8'" 
168  j4     in  y^  presence  of  y*  select  men 

At  a  generall  town  meeting  at  groton  Nouembr  14  dy  1681 
Then  agreed  upon  and  uotid  that  all  bublick  chargis  shall  be  leuied 
upon  all  uisibell  Estat  Catill  acording  too  law  and  all  land  shall 
be  Estemed  and  Ratid  after  the  uilovvation  of  a  hundrid  pounds 
for  a  twenty  ackres  acomidayon  and  all  lands  shall  pay  in  hos  hands 
thay  shall  be  found  acording  too  this  purporsion 

at  the  same  meting  it  was  then  agred  upon  and  uotid  that  thar 
shall  be  land  sould  for  the  finishin  of  the  meting  house  and  for  the 
procuring  of  glas  and  nayls  furst 

Captin  Parker  Leftenant  Lackins  Sargant  Knop  was  chosin 
comity  for  the  salle  of  this  land 

at  the  sam  toowne  meting  1681  it  was  grantid  and  uotid  that 
Nickloas  huckin  shall  haue  tenn  ackers  of  land  which  was  formirly 
giuen  too  Tomos  wad  [Wood  ?] 

at  the  sam  meting  it  was  grantid  that  Jams  Parkr  mit  haue  a 
strayt  Linn  by  his  hous  aioyning  too  the  country  Rode 

at  a  ginnrall  Town  meting  of  groton  desember  12  d  1681 

ffor  constibls  heniry  Willard  and  Joshawy  Whitny 

for  tythin  men  John  lackins  Insin  Lorins  sargin  Knop  Jonathan 

morse 

for  seleckt   men     Captin    Parker   Leftenint  Lackins  John  Page 

sargant  Knop   sargin  Lnckins   sargin  ffisk    Richard  Blood 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS. 


65 


the  comity  chosin  too  giue  in  struckyons  to  the  seleckt  men  Insin 
lorinc  Jonas  Preskod  Jonathan  Mors  Willam  Longly  heniry  Willard 

Comishinurs  too  iud  small  casis  in  Toown  acordin  too  law  Captin 
Parkr   Leftenint  Lackin   Insin  Lorins 

suruaierse  for  the  hi  waies  Johnethen  Satel  Josep  larense  Wilyam 
longly  peleg  larurnz 

to  ueue  the  fancese  and  lok  after  the  swine  nicklus  huchins  Sam 
Scriptur   James  nuting   Enosh  larrans 

The  last  two  paragraphs  are  in  the  handwriting  of  Captain 
James  Parker. 

ffor  an  adision  too  former  instruckyons  giuen  by  the  comity  chosin 
by  the  toown  12  d  10  m  1681  that  the  seleckt  men  are  to  tack 
Measures  for  too  call  the  comity  too  an  acount  which  was  chosin 
too  seell  land  for  too  finish  the  metin  hous  thay  shall  tack  an 
acount  of  them  of  the  land  they  have  soolld  and  too  horn  and  for 
how  much  and  for  what  pay  and  how  thay  have  desposed  of  the 
pay  and  entr  it  in  too  the  tooun  Book  and  give  a  tru  acount  too 
the  toown 

2  they  are  too  tack  car  that  there  be  a  cooll  or  colleg  of  larning 
of  children  the  inglish  tung  too  Red 

3  that  by  rasin  of  the  com  playnt  of  seuerall  in  habid  the  seleckt 
men  are  too  se  and  tack  spesill  car  that  Jonas  Prescod  doo  full  fill 
his  agrement  with  the  town 

Insin  Lorinc  Willam  longly 

henire  Willird  Jonathan  Morss 


The   following   "rate"  is   in   James  Parker's   handwriting 
and  very  hard  to  read. 

a  Rate  mad  for  mr  hubrd  of  55  poundse       shels       pans 


30  of  the  10 

81 

Capten  Parkr 

2 

3 

2 

John  mose 

I 

I 

insin  lorense 

I 

9 

7 

Adom  Gold 

0 

9 

Jams  blod 

I 

9 

10 

widow  longly 

I 

8 

nat  buterwth 

0 

II 

9 

Zek  Hixe 

0 

4 

I 

Zeckrey  parese 

0 

9 

ID 

Sam  dause 

I 

I 

6 

Josep  blod 

0 

10 

6 

Steuen  Holde 

II 

2 

Richard  blod 

0 

16 

2 

John  parsh 

0 

9 

II 

66 


EARLY   RECORDS    OF 


Jamse  knap 

o 

14 

8 

Jo  larense 

0 

6     2 

Sam  Screpter 

o 

9 

8 

Enosh  larense 

0 

5     0 

left  laken 

o 

4 

8 

Jamse  fisk 

I 

4     2 

Josep  Parker 

I 

4 

3 

Jonethe  Satel 

I 

^5     I 

John  Cady 

o 

5 

0 

Jos  wet 

0 

S     0 

nat  blod 

I 

3 

8 

torn  Smethe 

0 

2 

Josi  parkr 

o 

8 

4 

Jo  wetny 

0 

14 

Jamse  parker 

o 

8 

9  . 

Simoo  Ston 

0 

14 

John  elxsandr 

o 

n 

0 

Simen  Ston   s 

0 

John  laken 

I 

I 

2 

John  Page 

I 

6 

Heniry  Wilerd 

I 

8 

8 

nik  huchen 

0 

5 

John  Wilerd 

o 

10 

10 

Sam  holden 

0 

5 

nik  Cady 

o 

18 

2 

danel  Cady 

0 

3 

Wil  gren 

I 

13 

I 

isek  larense 

0 

2 

peleg  larense 

o 

10 

10 

elx  Ruse 

0 

5 

Jams  Robsn 

o 

10 

4 

Jamse  fisk 

0 

5     0 

Jonethe  larense 

o 

12 

II 

thomas  \blotte(r\ 

0 

2     6 

Jonse  prescot 

I 

2 

3 

Zackiry  Satel 

0 

9  10 

Jamse  cady 

o 

5 

4 

James  nuteng 

ID    10 

Crestefr  Hale 

o 

II 

5 

John  nuteng 

o 

9 

8 

Timethy  Alen 

o 

14 

9 

the  proporsn  of  wod  is 

to  set 

John  Copr 

o 

5 

0 

to  aite  shelings  and  so  pro- 

Eprim  filbrek 

o 

5 

0 

posnable    to   gretr 

and  lese 

Samu  thurstn 

o 

16 

2 

somse 

mat  farnworthe 

o 

9 

8 

Josep  gilson 

o 

9 

9 

"the  some 

13 

10 

Wily  longly 

o 

15 

I 

55 

I     6 

Sam  Kemp 

o 

12 

10 

John  baren 

I 

0 

4 

John  farnworthe 

o 

9 

S 

mat  farnworthe  s 

I 

0 

6 

Obed  Satel 

o 

12 

7 

Just  Houlden 

o 

9 

I 

Johnethn  Mose 

o 

7 

7 

Sam  Wodse 

I 

2 

2 

Jacob  Onge 

o 

6 

7 

Elze  baren 

o 

8 

4 

Danel  perse 

o 

9 

10 

Robrd  blod 

o 

19 

9 

GROTON,    MASSACHUSETTS.  6/ 


m  Rusel 

o 

19     9 

ben  Crespe 

o 

7     0 

John  longly 

o 

9     8 

tho  wilyams 

o 

4  II 

wil  Sander 

o 

4  II 

A  ratt  mayd  for  mester  hulbart  of  fifti  fiue  pounds  a  quarter  in 
money  the  other  part  in  Corne  and  provison  to  be  payd  the  halfe 
by  the  first  of  march  and  the  other  halfe  when  his  j-eare  is  out  and 
thirte  Cord  of  wood  to  pay  worthwith  by  evere  inhabitant  according 
to  proportion  as  in  the  ratt  directs    The  non  Residents  exsepted 

Richard  blood  81-82 

in  the  name  of  the  select  men 

The  first  of  Jen  Reciued  of  Jonathan  Sattell  a  Descharg  from 
M""  hubard  for  his  rates  for  79  and  80  the  full  sum  of  one  hundred 
pown  and  a  quarter  parte  muney  acording  to  the  agrement  with  the 
towne  as  full  satisfaction  for  them  two  yers 

Reciued  of  Jonas  Prescotte  a  descharge  of  M""  hubard  for  his 
reate  deue  in  eightey  one  whom  Do  acknowleg  himself  sattisfyed 
with  y*  town  for  y^  yere 

Reciued  of  William  Longley  a  Descharg  from  M'  hubard  for  his 
reate  deue  for  y^  yere  in  all  the  full  sum  of  fiftey  fiue  pownds  a 
quarter  pt  muney 

the  second  day  of  Januarie  81  The  towne  this  day  agreed  and 
voted  for  Mester  hulbard  that  he  should  haue  for  this  yeare  sel- 
lerie  fiftie  fiue  pounds  a  quarter  money  and  the  rest  as  heretofor 
the  one  halfe  to  be  payd  in  by  the  first  of  march  next  and  the  rest 
when  the  yeare  is  out  or  before  as  also  thirty  Cord  of  wood  within 
a  fortnith 

Captayne  parker 

Richard  blood 

leiuetenant  lakin 

John  page 

James  knop 
We  whose  names  ar  vnder  ritten  do  ingage  to  Cleare  the  last 
yeare  Rats  within  tow  weakes  To  M  hubbard 

The  forth  of  Januar  This  is  to  testifie  that  the  select  men  do 
ingadg  and  promise  to  stand  by  Jonathan  Sawtell  for  the  recovering 


68  EARLY   RECORDS    OF 

of  the  non  residents  or  any  other  what  the  ar  behind  provided  he 
acte  according  to  law  for  all  the  rates  during  these  tow  yeares  past 

The  last  two  items  are  in  Richard  Blood's  handwriting  ; 
but  the  following  three,  written  on  detached  pieces  of  paper, 
are  in  the  hand  of  James  Parker. 

the  paselse  of  work  payed  for  out  these  Rats  ar  as  foloue  and 
thare  sumse 

for  claperdng  and  shingleng  the  hous  23     o     o 

for  the  sleperse  170 

for  the  underpineng  o  10     o 

for  the  stonse  to  ounderpin  the  house  o  16     o 

for  laing  the  flour  and  dorse  making  120 

for  nailse  490 

for  bordse  3000  7   10     o 

more  in  nailse  030 

and  one  hing                                                      ,  016 

also  for  makng  the  pulpet  030 


38  14     9 
remain         556 

Rest  doue  to  the  toun  frome   the   to   constablse   prescot   and 
longly  of  the  forty  four  pound  Rat  mad  and  cometd  into  thare 

4  i8     6 


hadse  to  expend  about  the  metg  house 

the  5  of  genewar  1681 

the  persons  behind :  — 

M'  Rusele 

0  18 

9 

Rbld 

0  18 

9 

Jo  longly 

0  14 

0 

Jo  bid 

0     8 

5 

sargnt  lakn 

I     8 

4 

Will  Sandrse 

0     4 

2 

Zakry  satele 

0     9 

4 

torn  Smethe 

0     2 

4 

.  .  .  refering  to  the  metinge  house  Rate 

Resed  of  Capten  parkr  2     o     9     by  Jossia  parkr  his  Rate 

payed  for  insin  lorense  o     5     6     by  Josia  paker 

payed  for  insin  lorense  o  16     o     by  Joseph  parker 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS. 


69 


payed  for  Johnethen  Mos  on     9 

payed  for  Johnethen  satle  010     3 

payed  mor  for  lorense  012     o 

payed  for  wil  gren  o  14     o 

payed  more  for  gren  040 

payed  for  mat  farnworth  050 

payed  for  if arnworthse  son  se  o  12     9 

payed  for  John  Morse  o  16  10 

payed  for  wil  gren  060 

paj^ed  for  Obed  Satle  o  10     o 

payed  for  Sam  Dauis  030 

payed  for  pe  larense  030 

payed  for  Sar  Knap  o  10     5 

payed  for  danle  prse  o    3     5 
payed  for 

.  .  .  refaring  to  the  meting  house  Rate 
[payed  to]  nat  buterworth  by  wil  longly 
[payed]  to  Jamse  parker 
[payed]  to  buterworth  in  befe 
[pay]ed  to  Jamse  parker  by  parash 
payed  to  Jamse  parker  by  Henry  Wilerd 
payed  to  J  parker  by  Enosh  lorranse 
payed  to  Jamse  and  Si  by  Crestu'  Hale 
payed  for  Sam  thurstho  by  Jo  parker 


by  nat  buterworth 
by  nat  buterworth 
by  Jonse  prescot 
by  nat  buterworth 
by  Jamse  paker 
by  Joseph  parker 
by  Joseph  Parker 
by  Sie  Parker 
by  Sia  parker 
by  si  parker 
by  Jamse  parker 
by  nek  Cady 
by  nek  Cady 
by  nat  buterworth 


4 
3 
12 
6 
5 
3 
2 


o 

10 

o 

I 
2 
o 
6 
2 


Jnneuary  31  168 1  It  agred  upon  by  the  select  men  That  the 
Indanes  shall  be  warned  out  of  the  Toune  forth  with  and  if  the 
shall  neiglect  the  warning  and  if  any  of  them  be  taken  drounke  or 
in  drinke  or  with  drink  Then  these  parsons  ar  to  be  sezed  and 
brout  be  foure  the  select  men  either  by  counstable  or  by  any  other 
parson  and  be  pounesed  accordin  as  the  law  doth  direct  and  the 
Informar  shall  be  sattised  for  his  paines 

The  following  list  of  names  is  without  date,  and  comprises, 
with  the  exception  of  Mr.  Willard,  the  heads  of  families  living 
in  the  town  soon  after  its  resettlement.  An  approximation  of 
the  time  when  it  was  written  may  be  obtained  from  the  fol- 
lowing fact:  The  name  of  Widow  Longley  appears  in  the  list; 
as  her  husband  died  November  29,  1680,  it  was  made  subse- 
quently to  that  date,  but  probably  not  much  later.     Mr.  Wil- 


70 


EARLY   RECORDS    OF 


lard  was  not  a  resident  of  the  town  at  this  time,  though  a 
large  land- owner.  The  first  forty-seven  names  are  in  the 
handwriting  of  Jonathan  Morse,  but  the  others  were  written 
by  Captain  James  Parker. 


Samiwell  Kemp  i 

Danill  Pears  2 

Richard  Blood  3 

Nicklis  Cady  4 

Obadiah  Satill  5 

Samiwell  Wods  6 

Joseph  Blood  7 
Thomis  Tarbll  Sen          8 

John  Nutin  9 

Nathanill  Blood  10 

John  Coper  11 

Mastr  Rusill  12 

Timithy  Alin  13 

adim  gooU  14 

Jams  Robison  15 

Jams  Blood  16 

Joseph  Parker  17 

Zackriah  Hicks  18 

William  Longly  19 

Jams  Nutin  20 

Samiwell  Dauis  21 


Thomis  Smith 

23 

Timithy  Copr 

24 

Enosh  Loranc 

25 

Jonathan  Mors 

26 

John  ffarnom 

27 

Jonas  Presood 

28 

John  Pag 

29 

Nathan  butrwoth 

30 

Willim  gren 

31 

Cristouer  Hall 

32 

Captin  Parkr 

33 

Rubin  Blood 
Matthias  ffarnom  S' 
Jonithan  Lorinc 


35 
36 
37 


Jacob  Ong 
Joshuy  Wheat 
Willim  gren 
Richard  Satill 
John  Parish 
Bengiman  [^d/anJ^'] 
Joseph  Mors 
Simon  Stoon 
Justin  Holld  : 
Sargin  Lackins 
Zackriah  ffars 
Zackriah  Satill 
Leftenent  lackin 
Thomas  Tarbol  Jun 
John  lacken 
John  Morse 
John  larenc 
Wilyam  Sanders 
Richrd  Hculden 
Capten  Parker 
Nich"  Huchesen 
John  baren 
Joseph  larenc 
Mat  farnworth  Jun 
Elis  baron 
James  Knap 
Insin  larenc 
James  Cadey 
Mr  Sam  Wilerd 
John  Parker 
James  Parker 
Jonethen  Satle 
Sam  Church 
Widow  longly 
Eles  baron  jr 
Joseua  Witney 


38 

39 

40 

41 

42 

43 
44 

45 
46 

47 
48 

49 
50 
5^ 
52 
53 
54 
55 
56 
57 
58 
59 
60 
61 
62 

63 
64 

65 
66 

67 
68 
69 

70 

71 

72 

73 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  71 

Jonathan  Morse,  the  eighth  town  clerk,  was  the  son  of 
Joseph  and  Hester  (Peirce)  Morse,  of  Watertown,  where  he 
was  born  November  7,  1643.  He  married,  October  17,  1678, 
Abigail,  daughter  of  William  and  Susanna  Shattuck,  and  they 
had  four  children.  He  held  the  office  of  town  clerk  from  the 
year  1682  inclusive  until  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred 
July  31,  1686.  He  was  the  first  town  clerk  of  Groton  who 
signed  the  records  with  his  name,  though  the  practice  was  not 
constant  with  him. 

the  in  stroucktions  giuen  by  the  towns  commity  in  the  yere.  1682. 
I  first  that  the  salackt  men  doe  mak  and  maintain  pase  and  loue 
won  with  another  in  the  town  and  aspashaly  with  m.  hubard  in  in- 
coridging  him  in  his  work  by  forwarding  won  and  other  in  being 
wiling  to  alow  him  honorabl  main  tanans  as  the  law  darackts  in 
pag  45  and  that  thay  warn  the  in  habitans  to  gather  till  thay  be 
agreed  with.  m.  h  [Mr.  Hobart?]  and  that  the  salack  men  mak  no 
rate  till  the  town  be  agreed  with  him  M  hub  [Mr.  Hobart?] 

2  that  upon  complaint  of  som  of  the  in  habitans  that  the  reals 
mad  by  salackt  men  be  Justly  proporshaned  to  euery  man  his  Just 
dew  to  pay  and  no  more 

3.  that  the  salackt  men  gat  a  discharg  of  m  hub  for  the  yere  past 
as  to  his  last  salarey  the  yere  past 

4  that  the  salckt  men  doe  tak  spashal  care  y'  all  the  high  ways 
be  sofishantly  mended  from  hous  to  hous  mill  markit  and  meting 

5  that  thos  laws  be  rade  in  the  publick  meting  that  is  requir  and 
all  other  dutys  be  longing  to  salackt  men  as  the  law  darackts  be 
parformed 

6  for  as  much  as  there  has  been  complaint  of  many  pore  par- 
sons that  can  not  pay  rats  the  salackt  men  are  to  mak  dih'gant 
sarch  whather  it  be  so  that  thay  may  be  eased  in  the  rats  and  pay 
goodman  Cadey  for  a  cord  of  wood 

7  the  salackt  men  are  to  tak  spashal  care  that  thare  bee  a  town 
book  &  a  sofishant  man  chosen  to  racord  our  lands  as  may  stand 
acording  to  law 

8  allso  that  the  salackt  men  doe  atand  the  law  of  the  contrey 
con  sarning  the  indins  in  this  town 

9  that  the  salackt  doe  giue  up  a  tru  acount  to  the  town  of  all 
the  disbursments  in  the  town  this  vere 


72  EARLY    RECORDS    OF 

lo  and  allso  that  sabath  day  saruis  may  bee  parformed  in  the 
sason  of  it  that  the  sabath  may  not  be  profained  as  it  is  two  much 

The  instructions  given  above  are  in  Jonas  Prescott's  hand- 
writing. 

the  8  of  the  i  month  1682  at  a  selekt  mense  meting  it  is  agread 
upon  by  them  that  al  the  yoke  Catele  in  the  toune  shall  be  Harded 
in  thre  Hards  all  that  ar  aboue  on  year  ould  shal  be  Harded  Exsept 
such  as  ar  to  be  fated  these  may  be  put  out  of  the  town  if  the  oners 
of  them  plese  or  else  thay  are  to  pay  to  the  hard  that  the  onerse  of 
the  Catel  Relateth  to  :  The  Hardse  are  deuided  as  foloweth  the 
forst  Hard  is  to  begen  at  John  farnworthse  and  to  End  at  Sam 
Houldens  takeng  takeng  in  John  lorences  Eprem  filbreks  and  John- 
athan  laransese  Catle 

The  second  hard  to  be  gine  at  samuele  Wodes  and  to  end  at 
wilyam  longlyes  tkeng  in  Elek  Ruse  Enosh  larenenc  and  insin 
larance 

The  therd  Hard  is  to  be  gine  at  Jams  Robesens  and  to  End  at 
Justinen  Houldense  takeng  in  sam  dauises  catel  the  persens  Rela- 
teng  to  Ether  of  thes  Hards  ar  to  order  the  goeng  out  of  thar  hard 
both  for  time  and  wai  of  ther  Catel  walkse :  if  aney  man  Refuse  or 
naglekt  to  hard  thar  Catel  a  cordeng  to  thes  order  thay  ar  subject 
to  the  penelty  of  the  towns  order 

Richard  blod  leueng  inconuently  to  hard  Has  leberty  granted  to 
Him  to  kepe  His  Catele  on  the  west  sid  of  the  reuer  or  else  to 
kepe  them  out  of  the  towne  wich  he  plesethe — if  thay  be  found 
on  this  sid  thay  ar  liabel  to  pay  the  penelty  of  the  touns  order 

by  order  of  the  selecttmen  James  Parker  sene 

swine  \in  margifi]  morouer  we  do  agre  that  ale  swin  that  are 
aboue  thre  monthse  ould  shal  be  sofeshntly  Ringed  and  kept  Ringd 
from  the  ferst  of  aprele  tel  the  last  of  septembr  and  yoked  or  shut 
oupe  if  thay  take  aney  mens  Corn  or  be  other  waise  unruly 

Debts  deue  from  thes  Persons  to  the  town  for  lands  sould  to 
them 

By  Capt  Parker  11     10       6 

out  of  which  he  haue  payd  as  foloweth  in  2166 

reneueng  y*"  town  bounds  by  him  selfe  and  his  too  sons     2       4 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  73 

for  quartring  the  artise  and  nails 

for  the  metting  hous  glas  and  Dors  and 

for  gathering  y*  invoice  685 

The  rest  Deue  to  the  town  3 

Joseph  Parker  thre  hundred  ackers  835 

of  lande  bought  of  the  town  15       o       8 

wherof  payd  in  money  3     ^3       o 

Ser  Leakin  one  hundred  akers  500 

henery  willard  one  hundred  ack  500 

Jonas  Prescotte  one  hundred  and  ten  ackers  5 

Peleke  lawranc  one  hundred  ackers  500 

also  deue  to  the  town  from  Constable  Prescott 
and  Const  Longly  vpon  the  acount  of  the  meting 

house  reate  4     18       6 

insin  larence  for  to  parcelse  of  land  near  his  house  containeng 
foure  akhers  mor  or  lese  to  pay  leftenen  danforth  one  pound  and 
sixe  shilengse  in  silvr  or  in  other  pay  such  as  Corne 

The  last  paragraph  is  in  the  handwriting  of  Captain  James 
Parker. 

March  28  1682  two  Indian  squaws  being  apprehended  In 
drinke  &  with  drinke  brought  to  y*  select  men  one  squaw  Nehatch- 
echin  swaw  being  drouncke  was  sentanced  to  receive  &  did  receive 
ten  stripes  the  other  John  Nasquuns  sway  was  sentanced  to  pay 
3'  4''  cash  and  loose  her  two  quart  bottle  and  the  Liquour  in 
it  awarded  to  Sarg"'  Laken  who  seized  them. 

growtin  the  25  of  the  2  1682  25  d  2  m  1682  The  Lands  of  Jonas 
Prescott  lying  att  stony  brock  mill  at  the  other  sid  swan  broock  the 
east  sid  begining  at  stoony  brock  ponde  and  soo  from  the  pond  too 
the  high  way  as  the  marks  dooe  dereckt  and  from  the  Cuntry  high 
way  as  the  marks  dooe  dereckt  too  Chensford  lin  and  soo  too  the 
pond  on  the  south  East  East  sid  of  stoney  broock  and  on  that  sid 
the  mill  is  on  the  bounds  of  the  mill  plas  is  boundid  from  a  whit 
ock  tree  too  a  burch  and  soo  as  thes  marks  doo  direckt  from  the 
cuntry  high  way :  the  sum  of  land  is  28  twenty  ayt  ackers  mor  or 
les  :  only  we  did  agree  that  the  Town  shall  haue  liberty  if  thay  need 


74  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

too  goue  too  mack  eus  of  the  water  or  too  cler  the  b.ouck  on  ayther 

sid  of  the  Brook  if  ned  be  won  pole  wid  not  oltring  any  thing  that  is 

doon  as  too  the  mill  crick  or  the  gats  only  the  land  is  for  the  proper 

eus  of  the  sayd  Jonas  Prescott  that  is  too  \left  unfinished. '\ 

for  which  lands  the  Town  hath  as  much  land  tackin  ofe  the  sayd 

Jonas  Prescott  land  lying  at  the  old  mill  plase  this  land  was  taken 

ofe  by  the  sam  layers  out  of  land  this  sum  of  land  was   takin  ofe 

that  side  Jonas  Prescott  farm  at  theould  miU  plas  from  mastr  ushers 

land  called  the  fifty  ackers  all  the  land  that  was  Jonas  Prescotts 

lyinng  from  mastr  ushers  northeast  corner  and  soo  too  Matthias 

ffarnoworth  medovv  all  the  land  too  mudy  brook  is  tacken  ofe  for 

saytfactyon  acording  too  Towns  agreement  two  ackers  for  won  .  . 

as  witnis  our  hands 

Jams  Parker 

WiLLAM  Lackin 

Jams  Knop 

At  A  meeting  of  the  select  men  Jun  y*  5""  82  agered  with  sar- 
gent  John  laken  to  macke  a  sofishant  Pound  &  Stocks  the  pound 
thirty  foots  square  seuen  Railes  in  a  lenth  the  pound  to  be  sofish- 
ant &  to  mack  a  gate  &  hang  it  the  stocks  six  footes  long  with  5 
hols  at  y°  lest,  thes  are  to  be  don  forth  with,  for  which  the  sayed 
Lackin  is  to  haue  02  15  .00  to  be  discounted  as  part  of  pay  for  his 
land  which  he  bought  of  the  town  : 

At  A  metting  of  y*  select  men  the  5  of  y*  4""  mo**"  1682  Ee- 
ciued  of  y'  Constables  henerey  Willerd  and  Joshewah  Whettne'y  a 
descharge  from  M"'  hubarde  for  his  reat  for  his  half  yere  last  past 

the  a"*  10  '°°  1682  The  comity  chosin  by  the  Town  too  sell  land 
sould  too  insig  Nathannill  loranc  too  parsills  of  land  ner  his  hous 
contatayning  foure  ackers  mor  or  les  being  and  lying  as  followeth 
one  pese  on  the  south  sid  of  the  high  way  that  goe  too  flagey  medow 
lauing  the  high  way  say  fower  pooll  wide  from  Willam  grens  land 
this  land  is  bounded  northerdly  by  the  aforesayd  high  way  eastardly 
by  the  towns  Comon  land  sothardly  partlly  by  Samiwell  Woods 
swamp  and  partlly  by  Willam  grenne  south  wastward  ly  by  the  sayd 
Lorancis  own  land  the  sayd  high  way  too  be  left  out  fower  pooll 
wid  continuing  the  length  of  Willam  grens  lyn  and  then  the  sayd 
loranc  lyn  dooe  Run  with  a  slent  by  the  grat  stump  too  his  own 
fence  ner  the  Bredg  a  loowing  good  man  gren  a  high  way  too  his 


GROTON,    MASSACHUSETTS.  75 

midow  too  fetch  his  hay  and  the  insin  Loranc  is  too  mayntayn  a 
soo  fisint  bars  or  gat 

2'^  the  other  pes  aioyning  too  his  own  hous  loot  bownded  soth- 
ardly  by  the  high  way  ledihg  up  in  too  the  Town  wastardly  and 
northardly  by  the  lands  of  Captin  Jams  Parkr  and  eastrdly  with 
the  sayd  Lorancis  owne  land  this  land  beeing  payd  &  by  the  ac- 
knovvldgment  of  the  commitee  \_This  last  line  is  i?i  another  hand- 
writ  ing.'\ 

Reuised  compared  and  confarmed  by  the  seleckt  men  acording 
too  the  ordr  of  the  Toown 

Jonathan  Mors  dark  22  d  8  m  1683 

at  a  ginirall  Town  meetin  hilld  at  grotin  11  day  of  desembr  1682 

and  thar  was  chosin  for  constiblls     John  Page    Sargin  Knop 
and  for  seleckt  men  Captin  Parker  Leftenint  Lackens  Sarint  Knop 
John  Pag   Sargin  Lackins  Josiah  Parkr   Jonathan  Mors 

Comisiners  too  try  small  casis  acordin  too  law  Captin  Parkr 
Leftenint  Lackins   insin  Lorinc 

for  tithiii  men  Captin  Parkr  Leftennt  Lackins  Josiah  Parkr 
timithy  allin  : 

for  soueuyrs  Jonathan  Satill  Palig  Lorinc  Willam  Longly 
Samiwell  Kemp 

for  too  loock  aftr  swinn  Cristuer  hall   Jacob  Ong 

for  fens  uewers  Just  Holdin   Jams  Robison 

at  the  sam  metin  it  was  uotyd  and  a  gred  upon  that  tha  that  was 
chosin  too  sell  land  for  the  finishin  the  metin  hous  was  too  sell  no 
mor 

at  the  same  Metin  it  was  agred  upon  and  uotid  that  the  land  that 
is  called  by  the  name  of  Thomis  Willimsis  land  sholld  be  sowld 
and   John  Pag    Samiuell  Woods   were  chosin  too  sell  this  Land 

at  a  ginirall  Toown  metin  12  d  10  month  1682  thes  men  were 
chosin  to  giue  the  seleckt  men  in  strucktyon  Samiwell  Wods 
Jonas  Prescod   John  Parish   Jams  nutyn    Heniry  Willard 

at  a  ginerall  town  metyn  upon  the  12  da  10  m  1682  It  was 
agreed  upon  and  uotyd  by  the  Town  that  thay  wolld  giue  Mastr 
Hubrd  three  core  pound  for  this  yer  sallory  in  pay  and  spachy  as 
followeth  that  is  too  say  fifteen  pound  in  money  and  fRue  and  forty 
pound  in  corn  and  prouision  :  won  halfe  too  be  payd  by  the  furst 


76  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

of  March  and  the  other  half  by  the  next  Mickellmas  and  six  and 
thurty  cord  of  wood 

Thes  parsins  hos  nams  are  undr  writln  doo  in  gag  too  pay  thar 
pur  porsion  too  a  seuenty  pound  Rat  a  cuarter  part  in  money  the 
other  part  in  corn  and  pro  uision  and  forty  cord  of  wood 

Captyn  Parker 

Lettenint  Lackins 

Sargon  Knop 

John  Pag 

Jonathan  Satull 

William  Longly 

Henory  Willard 

Jonas  Prescod 

Enosh  Loranc 

Nicklous  Cady 

John  ffarnom 

at  a  ginarall  Town  raetyn  i  :  day  ii  m  1682  it  was  uotyd  that 
Mastr  Huberd  shold  haue  sixty  fyue  pound  for  this  yers  saliry  in  pay 
and  spashy  as  follow  that  is  too  say  a  cuartr  part  in  mony  and  aite 
pound  worth  of  pork  and  the  Reste  of  his  Rat  must  be  payd  in  corn 
and  prouision  and  won  half  of  this  pay  must  be  payd  by  the  furst 
of  march  and  the  other  half  by  the  Last  of  nouembr  and  forty  cord 
of  wod 

at  the  seleckt  mens  metyn  upon  the  1 1  moth  4  day  1682  a  rat 
mad  for  Mastr  hubard  contayning  sixty  five  pound  and  ayght  pens 
by  Jonahan  Mors  Clark  in  the  nam  of  the  seleckt  men 

24  d  I  m  1683  at  a  seleckt  mens  metin  Sargin  Lackins  did  giue 
a  tru  acount  for  the  seleckt  men  how  he  payd  for  his  land  pound 
and  stocks  fifty  fine  and  fiue  shilins  in  siluer  at  forty  shilins  in 
siluer  \this  word  erased~\  by  leftenint  and  lefenint  haue  bayd  this 
four  shilins  for  Runing  he  town  lyn  all  but  won  shilin 

by  me  Jonathan  Mors  Clark 

It  is  evident  from  the  appearance  of  the  original  record  that 
the  preceding  entry  belongs  in  this  place  and  not  at  the  end 
of  the  year. 

at  a  ginarall  Town  meting  upon  23  d  2   m   1683     It  was  agred 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  ^^ 

upon  and  uoted  that  Mastr :  Hubrd  shall  haue  liberty  too  mack  this 
pullpit  for  his  eas  and  comfort  soo  as  he  dooe  no  ways  defase  the 
work  now  doon  and  will  mack  it  dasant  and  comly  acquiuilent  too 
the  work  undrneath  upon  his  own  charg 

at  a  ginnreall  Toown  metyng  upon  the  23  d  2  m  1683  it  was 
Agreed  upon  and  uoted  that  thay  war  willing  that  the  land  shoold 
be  soald  which  is  too  tack  up  in  Leeu  of  Neshobey  too  pay  thar 
Toown  dets 

at  the  sam  metyng  it  was  agreed  upon  and  uoted  that  this  land 
shold  be  soould :  for  forty  pound  in  Corn  and  Catill  soo  as  too 
pay  the  Toown  dets  and  thay  that  bye  this  land  shall  be  att  all  the 
Charg  in  the  laying  out  of  this  land 

26  d  2  m  1683  at  a  seleckt  mens  meting  Jonathan  Satill  was 
ordred  too  pay  Timithy  allin  fiften  shilins 

At  A  seleckt  men  meting  21*^  3  m  1683  Captin  Parker  and  Insin 
Loranc  was  Chosin  too  met  with  Chensford  comity  too  Renew  the 
Lyne 

at  a  gennirall  Toown  meeting  25d  4  m  1683  A  gred  upon  and 
uotyd  that  the  Toown  wooll  sell  land  for  too  pay  thar  present  deews 
and  the  Comity  shall  sell  no  land  within  too  mill  of  the  metin  hous 
and  the  Comity  shall  sell  no  land  undr  twenty  ackr  &  ecksept  it  be 
furst  brought  too  the  Toown  at  a  ginaruU  Toown  meting  and  if  the 
Town  doo  determined  too  sell  such  land  the  Comity  may  Deed  it 
laguUy 

The  in  habitenc  of  This  Toown  have  liberty  too  by  land  att  a 
uallowabll  Prise  of  the  Comity  so  noe  land  shall  be  soald  undr 
Twell  penc  A  n  acker 

Captyn   Parker  Leftenint  Lackins    Sargon  Knop  was  chosin  a 
Comity  too  sell  this  land 
Samiwell  Wood  Willam  grenn   \the  last  name  erased.'] 

The  following  vote  appears  to  be  the  rough  draft  of  the  one 
that  comes  immediately  after  it. 

June.  25.  1683  At  a  genrall  towen  meeting  it  was  agreed  upon 
&  detarmed  by  vote  y'  ther  should  be  Land  sould  by  y^  former 
Comity  Chosen  by  the  towen  to  sell  land  for  y*  paymen  of  towen 


yS  EARLY   RECORDS    OF 

debts  :  &  y'  thay  shall  seell  no  land  under  twelue  penc  y*  acker  & 
any  Inhabatant  of  this  towen  hath  liberty  to  by  Land  agreen  with 
y'  Comity 

Jewn  25  1683  At  a  ginarall  Toown  meting  it  was  a  greed  upon 
and  detarmid  by  uot  that  thar  shall  be  land  sould  by  the  former 
Comity  Chosin  by  the  Town  too  sell  land  for  the  defraueing  of  fore- 
mer  dets  and  thay  shall  sell  no  land  und  tvvell  penc  the  acker  and 
any  inhabitant  have  liberty  too  by  land  agreing  with  the  comity 
this  latr  uot  countr  maynds  the  former  that  is  abbue  it  on  Jewn  25 
1683 

At  a  ginarall  Town  meting  upon  the  25  d  4  m  1683  it  was  agred 
upon  a  uotid  that  thay  wolde  giue  Willam  Prist  teen  ackrs  of  land 
and  ten  to  Nath  Lawren 

at  a  ginarall  toown  meting  upon  the  25  day  4  month  1683  it 
was  agred  upon  and  uotyd  that  the  Toown  wold  chos  a  comity  for 
tooee  pllas  the  metin  house  :  and  thes  men  war  chosen 

Captin  Parker  Lefeninant  Lackins  Richard  Blood  Sargon  fiisk 
insin  Loranc 
Samiwell  Woods  was  chosen  too  Joyn  with  this  comity 

At  the  sam  meting  it  was  agred  upon  and  uotyd  that  sargan  Knop 
and  leftenant  Lackins  and  sargon  Lackins  and  Jams  nutin  and 
John  ffarnom  was  chos  a  comity  for  too  Run  the  owld  lin  which 
Jonathan  Danford  Rund  too  tack  in  the  Land  which  is  due  too  us 
by  Neshobey  and  too  mack  a  return  too  the  Toown 

The  following  "  agreement "  appears  to  be  the  rough  draft 
of  the  one  that  comes  immediately  after  it. 

An  agreement  betwen  the  town  of  groton  &  Jonas  Prescot  uiz  y' 
he  hath  Liberty  to  set  up  a  saw  mill  at  stony  brook  upon  condishans 
as  folow  furst  y'  he  shall  acomadat  y'  town  with  merchantabell 
bords  at  sixpenc  y*  hndred  cheper  tlien  are  sould  at  any  outher  saw- 
mill and  for  towe  pay  &  y'  y*"  towe  shall  be  suplyed  befor  any  outher 
porsons  &  he  is  to  haue  this  priueliges  untell  ther  may  occer  som- 
thing  that  may  be  of  greater  aduanteg  [to  the]  town  .  .  .  ether  by 
loran  works  or  outher  wayes  .  .  .  y'  saw  mill  [shall]  not  hinder  y* 
corn  mill  .  .  . 

an  agrement  mad  be  twen  Jonas  Prescod  and  the  Town  of  grotin 
that  he  the  sayd  Prescod  haue  liberty  too  set  up  a  sawmill  att 
Stoony  Brock  and  to  have  the  ues  of  the  stream  upon  con  disions 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  79 

as  followeth  furst  that  he  shall  a  Comindat  the  Toown  with  mar- 
chindabll  Bords  at  sixpenc  a  hundred  cheaper  then  are  sowlld  at 
any  other  saw  mills  and  for  Town  pay  and  that  the  Town  shall  be 
sooplyed  befor  any  other  parsin  and  he  is  too  have  this  priuilig 
untill  thar  may  aper  sumthing  that  may  be  of  g^  aduantig  too  the 
Townn  which  by  lorun  woks  or  any  other  ways  allways  prouided 
the  saw  mill  do  not  hindr  the  corn  mill  and  the  sayd  Prescod  is  to 
haue  the  use  of  the  Towns  timpr  for  his  own  use  and  the  sayd 
prescod  is  too  mack  and  mayntayn  a  sofisint  cart[way?J  from  tyme 
too  tyme  and  at  [all  times.] 

1683  The  land  of  Obadyah  Sautell  sould  too  him  by 
the  Towns  comity  chosin  by  the  Towne  too  sell  sd  land 

Twenty  fower  ackers  of  land  mor  or  les  ner  the  Burnt  medow 
being  boundid  as  folowth  boundid  wastwardly  by  the  land  of  Rich- 
ard Sawtell  northardly  by  the  land  of  James  Parker  sener  and 
upon  all  other  poynts  with  the  Towns  comon  land  and  Jams  fisks 
medow  and  Thomis  Tarballs  medow  lauing  a  high  way  in  it  for  the 
use  of  the  medow  and  thar  be  need  of  it 

2  thurty  ackres  mor  or  lese  being  and  lyeng  on  the  south  sid  of 
Indian  hill  medow  agining  too  Richard  satwalls  medow  called  the 
patchis  bounded  as  foloweth  north  with  the  bay  high  way  wast  with 
the  land  of  John  barron  and  northerdly  by  the  land  of  John  baron 
and  wasturdly  and  northardly  by  the  land  of  Nickloas  Huchin  and 
all  so  wastardly  by  the  Towns  Comon  and  south  by  the  Towns 
Comon  and  east  by  the  land  of  Jams  ffisk  and  so  contaying  all  the 
swamp  ground  and  stands  with  the  sayd  patchis 

24  d  6  m  1683  at  a  seleckt  mens  meting  Captin  Parkr  and  sargin 
Knop  was  chosin  a  comity  for  too  met  with  Bilericy  comity  for  too 
trat  about  the  grat  bredg 

at  a  ginrall  Town  metin  upon  the  28  of  6  m  1683  Jonas  Prescod 
was  chosin  comisinur  too  tack  the  contry  inuoys 

the  28  of  6  m  1683  at  a  ginarall  Town  meting  it  was  agred 
upon  and  noted  that  the  Comitys  work  wh  they  have  done  in  plasing 
the  meting  hous  shall  be  uoyd  and  that  the  dignity  of  the  sats  of 
the  meting  hous  shall  be  detarmned  by  the  Town  that  the  Comity 
may  haue  Ruls  too  plas  the  metin  hous  with  thar  best  dis  cresion 
furst  ofis  seckently  age  and  thurdly  money 

It  is  agred  upon  and  uotyd  that  when  the  Comity  had  plased  all 


8o  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

thes  sats  in  the  meetinghous  and  it  doth  aper  that  thar  is  som 
wiating  thar  shall  be  sum  mad  a  boue  for  the  plasing  of  yong 
parsins  upon  the  Towns  charg 

it  was  a  gred  upon  and  uotyd  that  the  furst  be  low  shod  be  the 
furst  sat  in  dignity  2'^  the  forst  in  the  frunt  galry  shall  be  the 
second  sat  in  dignity  the  second  sat  below  is  the  thurd  sat  in  dig- 
nity the  frunt  sat  in  the  East  galery  is  the  forth  sat  in  dignity  the 
thurd  sat  below  is  the  fift  sat  in  dignity  th^  second  sat  in  the  frunt 
galry  is  is  the  sixe  sat  in  dignity :  the  fowerth  sat  below  is  the 
seuenth  sat  in  dignity  the  sat  by  the  window  is  the  ayth  sat  in  dig- 
nity the  second  sat  in  the  galory  is  the  ninth  sat  in  dignity 

at  the  same  meting  it  was  agred  upon  and  uotyd  that  the  Dackins 
sate  shall  be  leuiled  with  the  tabll  and  that  it  shall  be  plased  with 
parsins  acording  too  the  discresion  of  the  Comity 

22  day  8  m  1683  at  the  seleckt  mens  meting  the  Towns  comity 
did  giue  thar  acount  too  the  selecktmen  of  the  land  sould  for  the 
defrawing  of  the  Toown  dus  and  dets 

no  ackrs  of  land  sowld  too  Josiah  Parkr  and  John 
ffarnom 

2  too  Captin  Parkr  198  ackrs 

3  too  Joseph  Parkr  and  Samiwell  adams  200  ackrs 

4  Mathias  ffarnoth  and  John  ffarnoth  40  of  land 
andTnor  too  mathias  ffarnom  i  ackr 

5  too  Jonas  Prescod  13  ackr  of  land 

6  too  Jams  Knop  35  ackr  of  land 

7  too  sargin  Lackins  10  ackrs  of  land 

8  too  Thomis  Boydin  100  ackr  of  land 

9  Jonis  Prescod  detr  too  the  Town  for  and  by  his 

acount  with  the  seleckt  men  8  d  10  m  1682 
Captin  Parkr  dew  too  the  Town 
by  the  acount  giuin  in  3  d  10  m  1673 

Leftenint  Lackin  22  ackrs  of  land 
Captin  Parkr  haue  payd  too  Jams  nutin 
and  too  Leftenint  Lackins 
and  too  sargin  Knop 

at  a  ginora  Towne  meting  upon  the  29  d  8  m  1683  it  was  agred 
upon  and  noted  that  the  souayrs  that  are  too  lay  out  land  and 
Jonas  prescod  and  Samiwell  Woods  shall  be  a  comity  for  the  helping 


s 

IS 

0 

8 

18 

10 

0 

0 

2 

2 
13 

I 

15 

0 

10 

5 

0 

3 

3 

0 

I 

2 

0 

I 

2 

0 

6 

0 

0 

5 

0 

0 

12 

0 

GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  8l 

of  sum  parsins  namly  soe  many  as  ned  thar  buts  and  bounds  that 
thay  may  be  fitid  for  A  lagall  record  in  too  the  new  Town  boock 
and  ho  so  euer  dooe  imploy  this  comity  shall  bar  the  chargis  euery 
parsin  for  him  self  for  his  own  land  :  and  the  magr  part  of  this 
Comity  sail  determin  any  thing  Refering  too  the  recording  of  this 
land 

at  the  sam  meting  it  was  determinid  by  uot  that  in  Refferenc  too 
a  specioU  Rat  too  Mastr  Willard  that  eury  in  habitant  that  is  a 
propriatur  shall  haue  won  ackr  of  land  layd  out  too  him  acording 
too  his  furst  grant  that  is  too  say  vz  twenty  acker  Right  shall  haue 
twenty  ackrs  of  land  and  soo  pur  porshinably  for  the  smaller 
grants  and  this  deuision  of  land  is  too  be  tacken  up  upon  this  sid 
of  the  Reuer 

by  me  Jonathan  Mors  Clark 

at  a  seleckt  mens  meting  3od  8m  1683  Captin  Parker  Sargin 
Knop  Jonas  Prescod  was  chos  a  comity  too  lay  out  the  high  way 
from  dunstabll  too  grotin 

23d  9m  1683  at  a  selek  mens  meting  the  constibls  was  ordrid 
too  pay  too  sargin  Lackin  seuen  shilins  out  of  the  Rat 

I  d  lom  1683  at  a  selekt  mans  meting  too  mack  a  rat  too  mend 
high  ways  and  to  cast  up  mastr  Huberds  Rat 

thar  ware  chosen  for  .  .  .  Town  afayrs  in  the  10  d  10  m   1683 

the  seleckt  men  haue  tacken  speciall  car  and  haue  payd  all  thes 
Town  dets 

29  d   10  m   1683   too  Jams  Knop  o  12     o 

2  too  Leftenant  Lackins  050 

3  too  Leftanant  Lackins  012     o 

4  too  Josiah  Parker  for  i  wollfs  hed  and  pups  on 

5  too  Jams  Nutin  for  2  wolves  hed  and  3  days  in 

6  too  Insin  Lawranc  i     2 

7  too  Timothy  allin  i   10     6 

8  too  Cristiuer  Hall  for  taking  the  inuoyc  060 

9  too  John  ffarnworth  for  i  wolf  hed  3  dys  half  113 

10  too  bilirica  bredg  4  ^7     o 

11  too  the  county  Rate  4  17     o 

12  to  Jonas  Prescod  for  carig  the  pay  biliryk  012     o 


82  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

13  too  Thomis  boyin  for  paying  him  for  finishin  the 

meting  hous  3     o 

14  too  John  Pag  for  his  ould  arergis  o     910 

This  may  sartyfy  you  that  Joshiway  Whitney  haue  prought  in  his 
acwitinc  from  mastr  Hubords  own  hand  that  the  Rat  that  was  com- 
ited  in  too  his  hand  when  he  was  constabell  was  payd  by  me 

Jonathan  Mors  C/ark 

A  a  ginnrall  Town  meting  10  d  10  m  1683  the  Tow  haue  cho- 
sin  thar  Town  offiersers  Just  holdin  and  John  Parish  for  Constibls 

thos  which  war  chosin  seleckt  men  Jonas  Prescod  Heniry 
Willard  Joshuay  Whitny  William  Longly  Jonathan  Morse  Clark 
and  seleckt  men 

10  d  10  m  1683  At  the  sam  meting  it  was  agred  upon  and  uotd 
that  thay  wold  give  Mastr  Hubord  seuenty  pound  for  this  yers  sal- 
ory  and  a  cwartr  part  of  this  must  be  payd  in  money  and  the  Rest 
of  his  pay  must  be  payd  as  it  was  determinid  last  yer  and  forty 
cord  of  wod 

at  the  the  sam  meting  it  was  agred  vpon  and  uoted  that  all  thar 
Toown  charges  shall  be  raysed  by  thar  land  and  estats  and  if  any 
parsin  haue  pourchad  any  land  it  shall  be  Rated  at  fiue  pound  the 
hundred 

Att  a  ginarall  Town  meting  upon  the  25  d  10  m  1683  them  which 
wur  chosin  souuyrs  was  Nicklos  Huchin  Nicklos  Cady  Jams 
Parkr  Cristuer  Halle  fo  hog  constiblls  Samiwell  Criptur  goodman 
Willam  green  and  uewers  of  fenses 

At  a  ginarall  Town  meting  upon  25  d  10  m  1683  John  Page 
John  Parish   Insin  Lorinc 

,as  you  are  Chosin  a  comity  for  and  in  the  behalf  of  the  Towne 
you  are  desiered  for  too  proue  the  Rit  and  titill  we  haue  too  our 
Tooun  ship  by  all  the  legall  testimony  which  can  be  procuerid  when 
the  Toown  is  sent  too  by  aney  a  Tority  and  if  aney  ingins  can  proue 
a  lagiall  titall  too  the  Remainer  of  our  Town  ship  you  haue  power 
too  by  it  at  as  easi  a  lay  as  you  can  and  mack  it  as  sur  as  maybe  in 
tlie  behalf  of  the  Toown  and  you  shall  haue  Reasinabll  satisfackion 
for  your  payns. 

Jonathan  Mors  C/ark 
in  the  nam  of  the  selckt  men  31  d  10  m  1863 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  83 

31  d  lom  1683  4  The  Comity  did  giue  in  thar  acount  too  the 
selelkt  men  upon  31  d  10  m  1683  of  the  land  sowlld 

too  Joshiway  Whitni     12  ackrs  012       o 

2  Nicklos  huchin       10  ackrs  o     10       o 

3  Jonathan  satel  17  acks  o  17  o 
Insin  Lorinc  40  acks  200 
Just  Holdin  4  ack  03  3 
Obiadiah  ssatill  54  ackrs  2  14  o 
Jams  Nutin               7  ackrs  070 

at  A  ginnrall  Town  meting  upon  the  14  d  ii  m  1683  ^^^  Toown 
comity  did  giue  in  thar  acount  of  thar  chargis  for  the  purchis  of  our 
Town  ship  with  the  in  dins 

thar  Chargis  in  money-Eckspencis  i  —  10 

2  for  thar  tym  in  Town  pay  twelue 

shilins  apese  which  doo  amount  too  i  —  16  —  o 

uotid  that  the  comity  was  too  entr  the  ded 
in  too  the  cunty  records  for  this  sum 

This  instrument  is  duly  recorded  in  the  Middlesex  Registry 
of  Deeds  at  East  Cambridge,  ix.  27. 

14  d  II  m  1683  at  a  ginnrall  Toown  meting  it  was  agred  upon 
and  uotid  that  this  publick  chargis  con  sarning  the  purchis  of  our 
Toown  ship  shall  be  raysed  by  the  furst  grants  and  too  hom  thay 
war  furst  grantid  too 

at  the  sam  meting  it  was  agred  upon  and  by  not  declarid  that  if 
any  parsin  doo  Refus  too  pay  for  the  purchis  of  this  ihgin  titell  too 
our  Toown  ship  thar  pur  porsion  thar  nams  are  too  be  entred  in 
too  the  Toown  buck 

at  a  ginnrall  Town  meting  upon  the  14  d  11  m  1683  4  it  was 
agred  upon  and  noted  that  this  Bublick  chargis  con  sarning  our 
purchis  of  our  indin  titll  shall  be  Leuied  upon  our  ffurst  grants  of 
lands  and  thay  shall  pay  in  hose  hands  thay  are  found 

at  the  sam  metin  agred  upon  and  uotid  that  Crisouer  hall  shold 
tack  the  inuoyc 

29  day  II  m  1683     The  Town  comity  did  give  in  thar  a  count 
o  the  land  sould  for  too  procur  ry  for  the  Towns  us 

Thomis  smith  2  acks  100 

Nickloas  Cady  15  ack  o     15       o 


84  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

John  Barns  2  acks  100 

John  farnom  6  acks  060 

nicklos  haue  payd  his  purporson  which  is  his  pur 
person  of  a  teen  ackr  grat  of  the  indin  titill  whch  is     o       8       4 

nathanill  blood  haue  payd  for  his  furs  grant  land  his 
money  part  in  this  indin  purchis  30  da  11  1683  084 

Jonathan  Sawtell  have  payed  his  pur  porsicn  in  the 
indin  purchis  and  halfe  his  fathers  pur  porcion  acording 
too  the  lewey  and  uote  of  the  Town  084 

but  not  by  his  fathers  ordr  as  did  aper  by  Riting  undr 
his  fahers  hands 

31  d  II  m  1683  Richard  Sautill  haue  payd  his  purporsion  in 
the  ingin  purches  for  A  twenty  acker  Right  the  full  and  fast 
sum  of  o     16      8 

as  atest  Richard  satill  Obadiah  Satell  Just  Holdin  Cunstibll 

b  me  Jonathan  Mors  Clark 

James  blood  have  payd  his  full  purporsion  for  a  thurty  ackr 
Right  too  the  Indin  purchis  as  atest  John  parish  and  Jonas  prescod 

Groton  January  31'''  i68|^  Att  a  Meeting  of  the  select  men  att 
the  house  of  Jonathan  Morse  then  Reconed  with  Capt"^  Parker 
and  all  account  ballanced  concerning  the  land  Capt"'  Parker  bought 
of  the  the  Towne  and  what  the  towne  ought  him  upon  all  pticulars 

U  s  d 

to  this  day  and  Capt"*  Parker  is  Debt'  to  y*  Towne  o  =  07  =  00 
In  y^  account  of  Capt"*"  Parker  is  payd 

for  Paleg  Lawrance  00  =  09  =  00 

for  Nicholas  Cady  01  =  07  =  00 

for  Jn°  Barron  00  =  12  =  00 

for  Luiten  :  5^  Sargn'  K  12*  00  =  17  =  00 

for  James  Nutten  00  =  06 

Jonathan  Mors  Clark 

The  31*'' day  of  January  i683^  Recconed  with  Tho  :  Booden 
concerning  his  worke  done  in  finishing  the  Meeting  house  and  found 
that  he  hath  received  of  the  thirty  two  pounds  that  he  was  to  haue 
in  the  pticulars  as  followeth  p  Capt"^  as  p  Tho  Boodens  Acknowl- 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  85 


edgement  before  the  select  men  16      09  =  00  : 

p  Jonathan  Lawrance  for  Peleg  Lawrance  01  =  00  =  00 

p   Sam  :  Holden  for  Peleg  01  =05  =  00 

p  Jn°  Page  00  =  16  =  00 

p  Jn°  Farworth  02  =  00  =  00 

p  Jonas  Prescott  01  =  10  =  00 

p   100  Acres  of  land  05  =  00  =  00 

p  Ensigne  Lawrance  00  =  08  =  00 

by  me  Jonathan  Mors  Clark 

in  the  nam  of  the  dark  [selectmen  ?] 

January  31"' 168^  then  Reckoned  with  Sargnt  Knop  and  all 
accounts  from  the  begining  of  the  world  to  this  day  are  all  ballanced 
upon  every  accont  betwine  the  Towne  and  him  And  due  from  him 
to  the  Towne  00  =  02  =  00 

by  me  Jonathan  Mors  Clark 

in  the  nam  of  the  seleckt  men 

Reckoned  January  31*''  \(i^Yi^  at  the  same  Meeting  with  Luiten  : 
Laken  &  all  accounts  in  all  pticulars  clear  and  ballanced  betwine 
the  Towne  and  him  from  y^  begining  of  the  world  to  this  day 

by  me  Jonathan  Mors  Clark 

Joseph  Parkr  dept  i  —  9  —  o 

The  Town  in  Det  too  patickler  men  for  thar  work  for  seuerall 
workes  and  forcys 

1  too  Leteninant  Lackins  4  days  and  a  half  120 

2  too  Sargin  Lackins  3  days  and  half  017       o 

3  too  Sargin  Knop  3  days  and  half  and  i  day  too 

Biliryca  bredg  i       5 

4  too  Captin  Park  3  days  o     12 

5  too  Insin  Loranc  i  daye  Chensford  linn  4 

6  too  Jams  Nutin  3  days  and  half  11       3 

7  too  John  ffarnum  3  days  and  half  11       3 

8  too  Leftenant  Lakins  for  ould  areligis  [arrearages?]  12       o 

9  too  John  Pag  for  ould  areligis  9       o 

10  too  Thomis  Boydin  for  inish  met  32       2       6 

11  too  Jams  Nutin  in  8  d  of  Septembr  too  wolues  beds     100 

12  too  Thomis  Wods  and  VVillam  sreen  won  wolf  hed      010       o 


86  EARLY  RECORDS   OF 

13  too  good  man  wods  for  bringing  up  the  poudr  and 

for  his  sune  wachin  040 

14  too  Jonathan  Mors  for  ceping  the  Toown  book  010       o 

15  too  Joseph  Parkr  for  paying  too  Bilirica  Bredch  500 

the  Town  haue  payd  too  Thomis  Boyden 

by  Captin  Parkr  16       6       o 

by  Palig  Loranc                                            \  i     16       o 

by  John  farnworth  200 

by  Jonas  Prescod  150 

for  100  ackrs  of  land  500 

when  all  thes  Town  dets  are  payd  thar  is  dew  too 

the  Town  01     16       6 

4  d  12  168^  at  a  selekt  mens  meting  it  was  determined  by  the 
selek  men  that  goodman  allin  shold  haue  won  and  thurty  shillins 
and  six  pens  which  will  be  dew  in  the  begining  of  the  march  next 
168^ 

grotin  the  7  day  12  168^  A  trew  Resaight  that  Just  holdin 
Constibell  hath  payd  too  the  Towns  comity  the  Just  sum  of  1 2-1 2-0 
I  saw  twellue  pound  and  twellue  shilins  in  cash     I  say  resaiued 

by  me  John  page  in  the  nam  of  the  Rest  of  the  comity 
the  9  d  12  1683-84 

grotin  Febriwary  18  1683*  Resaiued  of  Just  Holdin  Constaball 
the  Just  sum  of  teenn  pound  fiue  shillins  in  Corn  which  was  payd 
by  the  sayd  Holdin  for  the  purchis  of  the  Toown  of  Groton  of  the 
Indans 

I  say  Resaiued  by  me  Josiah  Parkr 

Resaiued  of  Just  Holdin  Constabll  twenty  fiue  Bushils  of  India 
Corn  in  the  behalf  of  Captin  Linksman 

I  say  Resaiued  by  me  Robirt  Robin 

fabrivveri  18  168^ 

Jons  Prescod  haue  payd  for  his  l[and]  which  he  did  purchis  ot 
the  Town  comity  in  the  yer  1682  the  full  aud  Just  sum  of  fiue 
pound  teen  shillins  for  won  hundred  and  ten  ackers  of  land  I  say 
payd  for  acording  too  ordr  for  the  Toowns  use 

by  me  Jonathan  Mors  C/arJ^ 


GROTON,    MASSACHUSETTS.  87 

Jonas  Prescod  haue  payd  for  his  land  which  he  did  purchis  of 
the  Town  comity  in  the  yer  1683  the  full  and  Just  sum  of  thurten 
shillins  for  thurtene  ackrs  I  say  payd  for  acording  too  ordr  for 
the  use  of  the  Town 

by  me  Jonathan  Mors  Clark 

Jonas  Prescod  haue  purchised  [paid  ?]  for  his  land  which  he  did 
purchis  of  the  Towns  comity  in  the  yer  1684  the  full  and  Just  sum 
of  won  pound  for  twenty  ackr  of  land  I  say  payd  for  acording  too 
order  for  the  us  of  the  Touwn 

by  me  Jonathan  Mors  Clark 

Joshuay  Whitny  haue  payd  for  his  land  which  he  did  purchis  of 
the  Town  comity  in  the  yer  1683  the  and  iust  sum  of  twellue  shill- 
ins for  twellue  ackrs  of  land     I  say  payd  for  acording  too  ordr  for 

the  us  of  the  Town 

by  me  Jonathan  Mors  Clark 

John  fifarnworth  haue  payd  for  his  Land  which  he  did  purchis  of 
the  Towns  Comity  in  the  yer  1683  the  full  and  Just  sum  of  fiue 
pound  fiue  shillins  for  won  hundred  and  fiue  ackers  of  land  I  say 
payd  for  acording  too  ordr  for  the  us  of  the  Town 

by  me  Jonathan  Mors  Clark 

Captin  Park  Parkr  haue  payd  upon  the  Toowns  acount  won 
pound  seuen  shilins  which  was  his  due  too  the  Town  upon  the  Last 
acount 

by  me  Jonathan  Mors  Clark 

Josiah  Parkr  haue  payd  for  his  land  which  he  did  purchis  of  the 
Towns  Comity  in  the  yere  1683  fifty  fiue  ackrs 

I  say  payd  for  acording  too  ordr  for  the  us  of  the  Town  and  too 
pay  town  dewes 

by  me        Jonathan  Mors  Clark  16  d  12  m  1683 

Insinn  Loranc  haue  payd  for  his  land  which  he  did  purchis  of 
the  Towns  comity  in  the  yer  1684  forty  ackers  I  say  payd  for 
acording  too  ordr  for  too  pay  him  in  the  Toowns  dues 

by  me        Jonathan  Mors  Clark  24  d  9  m  1684 


88  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

at  a  seleckt  mens  meting  24  d  nouem  1684  Captin  parker  did 
giue  in  acount  of  the  land  which  he  had  purchised  of  the  Towns 
cmity  and  as  he  is  a  comity  too  sell  land  for  the  Toown 

too  Captin  Parkr  twelue  ackrs  012       o 

the  Towns  Comity 

at  a  selekt  mens  meting  24  day  9  moth  1684  Jonas  presod 
did  giue  in  thar  acount  too  the  seleckt  men  and  this  is  the  acount 
of  the  Toown  dets 

Jonas  prescod  haue  due  too  him  from  the  Town  115 

and  thar  is  dew  too  Jonathan  Mors  from  the  town  too 

him  103 

fifteen  pens  of  this  must  be  payd  in  money 

the  Town  indetid  too  William  longly  from  the  town  o     14       o 

The  Town  indetid  too  heniry  Willerd  for  gathrin 

m  Wilerds  Rat  o     10       o 

The  Town  indetid  too  Joshuey  Whitney  for  constibell  16       o 

at  a  ginnrall  Town  meting  [held  on]  the  10  d  10  m  1684  thay 

did  chus  thar  publick  ofisers  for  constabel  Jams  Nutin  for  seleckt 
men  Insin  Loranc  Captin  Parker  Leftenint  Lackins  John  Pag  Jonas 
Prescod  Josiah  Parkr  John  Parish  Jonathan  Mors  Clark 

Mathias  farnworth  Constibell  Willam  Long  was  chosin  too  tack 
the  Cuntry  inuoy 

for  souayrs  Samiwell  Kempe  Samiwell  dauis  Jams  Blood  Josh- 
uay  Whitny 

for  hog  constibls  and  fens  uewers  Samiwell  Wods  and  Elis  barin 

at  a  ginarall  Town  metin  upon  10  d  10  m  1684-5  it  was  agreed 
upon  and  uotid  that  thay  wolld  giue  mr  Hubord  for  this  yers  sallory 
seuenty  pound  won  quartr  part  in  money  and  the  Rest  of  the  pay 
shall  be  payd  in  Corn  what  Rye  and  Ingin  Corn  Beter  pork  and 
won  hallf  of  this  pay  is  too  be  payd  in  by  the  furst  of  march  and 
the  other  hallf  of  his  pay  shall  be  payd  in  by  the  ninth  day  of  the 
ninth  month  and  forty  cord  of  wood  which  shall  be  payd  in  by  the 
furst  of  march  nex  and  if  any  parsin  doo  negleckt  and  Refus  shall 
pay  aftr  the  Rat  of  six  shillins  a  cord  in  corn  forth  with 

at  the  sam  meting  it  was  agred  upon  and  uotid  that  if  any  of  our 
propriators  which  doo  neg  leckt  or  Refus  paying  thar  Bublick 
dews  Twis  in  the  yer  by  them  selues  or  thar  agent  thar  lands  shall 
be  sased  by  the  constibell  and  sould  by  the  seleckt  men  for  too  pay 
thar  dus  and  all  due  damigis 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  89 

.  .  .  29  d  10  m  1684  .  .  .  [tith]en  men  sargin  jB&sk  .  .  . 
mathias  ffarnworth  .  .  .  [Chri]stiuer  Hall 

The  seleckt  men  which  war  chosin  for  the  yer  1684-5  haue  tackn 
car  too  pay  sum  of  the  Towns  tets 

Samiwell  Kemp  haue  Rsaiued  of  the  seleckt  men  upon  the 
Towns  count  for  swping  the  meeting  hous 

Jonathan  Mors  Resaiued 

too  Jonas  Prescod 

too  Willam  Longly 

too  Widow  longly  Bengiman  Crisp 

too  Samiwell  Kemp 

too  Jams  Nutin 

too  Captin  Parkr 

too  Leftenint  Lackins 

too  John  Parish 

too  Jams  Knop 

too  Heniry  Willard 

too  Joshiway  Whitny 

too  Samiwell  Woods 

too  Josiah  Parkr 

grotin  march  6  1684  Resaiued  of  Just  Holdin  the  full  and  Just 
sum  of  sixtenne  pound  leenn  shillins  in  money  corint  Coine  of  New 
ingland  and  in  corn  thurty  six  shillins  which  was  payd  by  the  sayd 
Holdin  for  part  of  the  purchis  of  the  Town  of  grotun  of  the  Indins 
I  say  Resaiued  by  me  John  Page  in  the  behalf  of  the  Comity  that 
Bought  the  for  sayd  Town  of  the  Indins  John  Page  in  the  nam 
of  the  Comity 

at  a  ginnarall  [town  meeting  held]  The  im  3od  [1685  it  was 
agreed]  upon  and  uotid  that  .  .  .  [comm]ity  which  was  chosen  to 
.  .  .  the  use  of  the  Towwn  shall  .  .  .  mor  to  no  parsin  hensforth 
shall  by  any  mor  land 

30  d  im  1685  At  a  ginnrall  Town  meting  it  was  determined 
and  uotid  that  the  uote  which  past  in  a  Town  meting  in  10  d  10  m 
1683  shold  stand  in  fors  and  if  any  parsin  haue  purchised  any  land 
of  the  Towns  comity  of  the  Towns  land  shall  pay  all  town  Dues  at 
the  Rate  of  fine  pound  the  hundred  and  soo  dubled  with  the  Rest 
of  the  estat  of  the  Town 


men 

upon 

I 

0-6 

I  - 

5-6 

0- 

3-0 

0- 

3-0 

I  - 

I  -  0 

2  - 

10-  0 

0- 

9-4 

0  - 

16-0 

0- 

1-3 

0- 

18-0 

0  - 

10  -  0 

0  - 

10  -  0 

0- 

9-0 

0- 

14-1 

90  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

at  the  sam  meting  sargin  Knop  was  chosen  a  comity  for  too  Joyn 
with  the  Rest  of  the  comity  for  too  Reguilat  any  erior  or  too  Satisfy 
sum  agreuied  parsin  in  the  sating  of  the  meting  hous 

at  a  ginarall  Town  meting  held  at  grotin  27  d  May  1685  agred 
upon  and  uotid  that  thay  wold  giue  Willam  Sandrs  that  small  pes 
of  land  lying  by  John  Parshis  too  set  your  hous  upon  considratyon 
Willam  Sandrs  is  too  haue  the  hy  way  foXver  poll  wid  and  if  he 
doo  any  way  damig  to  the  hy  way  he  is  too  mack  it  soo  fisint 

leftniant  lackins  insin  Lackins  John  Parish 

9  d  9  m  1685  :  at  a  ginarall  Town  meting  Josiah  Parkr  was 
chosen  an  atarny  for  the  Town  for  too  seue  and  prosicut  the  non 
Residnc  too  efeckt  too  help  mastr  hubord  too  the  pay  that  is  his 
due  upon  the  Rat 

at  the  sam  meting  it  was  grantid  too  Nicklas  Cady  a  small  pes  of 
land  at  the  south  sid  of  ingin  hill  at  the  ind  of  his  own  lot  soo  he 
Dooe  in  no  ways  in  trench  upon  the  hye  way 

at  the  sam  meting  it  was  grantid  too  Robin  Robards  tenn  ackrs 
in  the  furdr  sid  of  the  bond  agining  too  Chensford  linn  and 
Neshoby 

at  the  sam  meting  grantid  too  John  Elecksandr  tenn  ackr  of 
land  from  all  thes  grants  of  land  Jonas  Prescod  doo  Right  his 
desent 

at  the  sam  meting  it  was  grantid  too  John  Parish  teen  ackrs  of 
land 

at  a  g[en]arall  Town  meting  upon  10  d  10  m  1685-6  the  Town 
did  chus  thar  Bublick  ofisers 

ffor  seleckt  men  Captin  Parkr  Jams  Knop  Leftenint  Lackins 
Jonas  Pescod   Josiah  Parkr  Willam  Longly  Jonathan  Mors  dark 

ffor  Constibll  Simon  Ston  Jams  Parkr 

ffor  souayrs  Nicklous  Cady  John  barns  Joseph  Loranc  John 
Page 

Hog  constibls  John  Cady  Obadyah  Satall 

ffens  uewers  Joshiway  Whitny  Enosh  Loranc 

this  Rate  must  be  Raysed  as  it  was  the  last  yer 

Captin  Parkr  Chosin  too  tak  in  uycs 

at  the  sam  meting  it  was  agred  upon  and  uotid  that  thay  wold 
give  Mr  Hubord  for  this  yer  sallory  seuenty  fiue  pound  and  won 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  QI 

quartr  part  in  money  and  ayght  pound  in  pork  and  the  Rest  of  the 
pay  is  too  be  payd  in  whate  Rye  and  ingin  Corn  Won  half  of  this 
pay  is  too  be  payd  by  the  last  of  march  next  and  the  other  hallf  is 
too  be  payd  a  month  befor  his  yere  is  out  and  forty  cord  of  wode 
which  is  too  be  payd  in  by  the  latr  ind  of  the  next  Feueuery  and 
thay  which  doo  not  pay  wood  in  that  tym  shall  pay  in  Corn  at  the 
Rat  at  5  shillins  a  cord 

at  a  ginnrall  Town  meting  lod  lom  1685  it  was  agred  upon 
and  uotid  that  Obadyah  Sautill  shall  haue  a  small  pes  of  land 
agoyning  too  his  patchis  Boundid  with  his  own  land  and  with  the 
high  way 

Desembr  14  day  1685  at  a  ginarall  town  meting  it  was  agred 
upon  and  uotid  that  thee  Town  wolld  giue  m  Hubord  ffour  core 
pound 

at  a  ginarall  Town  meting  lagualy  warned  desembr  14  day  1685 
the  inhabitauc  of  the  Town  of  grotin  being  ginaraly  asembled  then 
determinid  and  uotid  that  thay  wold  giue  M  Hubord  ffour  core 
pound  this  yere  and  soo  from  yer  too  yer  and  soo  not  rising  any 
higr  \The  last  four  words  interlined '\  anolally  in  spashie  as  foloweth 
twenty  pound  in  money  ayt  pound  in  pork  at  three  pens  a  pound 
and  ffifty  too  pound  in  corn  of  all  sorts  as  it  plase  god  too  blese 
them  too  be  payd  at  too  tarms  won  half  by  the  furst  of  march  next 
and  the  other  half  by  the  tenth  day  of  novembr  next  and  forty  cord 
of  wood  which  is  too  be  payd  yerly  by  the  last  of  Jeniwary  next 
and  soo  anoaly  from  yer  too  yere  and  not  too  Ris  any  Hirer 

this  Record  is  entr  lined  the  sixt  lin 

understanding  y*  porke  to  be  payd  in  the  first  halfe  years  pay  I 
assent  to  ye  uoat  as  witnesse  my  hand 

Gershom  Hobart 

The  sentence  over  the  signature,  as  well  as  the  signature 
itself,  are  in  Mr.  H  chart's  handwriting. 

I  d  II  m  1685  the  Town  desented  from  mr  Hubords  asinement 
too  the  uoat  above  raenchened 

at  a  seleckt  meting  23  dec"  1685  :  Samiwell  Kemp  was  Chosin 
too  swep  the  metin  hous  and  he  doo  in  gag  too  swep  the  metinhous 


92  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

carefully  wuns  a  week  in  sumer  tym  and  he  is  too  haue  won  and 
twenty  shilins  for  his  labors  for  this  yer 

at  the  sam  Timithy  allin  did  tack  the  oth  of  a  Tithin  man 

Cristiuer  hall  did  tack  the  oth  of  a  tithing  man 

at  a  ginarall  Town  meting  grotin  Desembr  28  d  1685  the  inhab- 
itnc  of  the  Town  being  asembled  then  detarmined  and  uotid  that 
m  garshom  Hubord  have  set  him  self  at  liborty  from  the  sd  Town 
as  too  any  ingagement  from  him  too  them  as  thar  ministr  as  allso 
have  fred  the  Toown  from  any  in[gage]ment  too  him  self  by 
mr  Hubrds  Refusing  and  sliting  what  the  sayd  Town  ofvered 
him  for  his  sallory  at  Too  seuerell  Town  metings  as  doo  apers  by 
Reckord  in  the  Town  book  and  that  the  Town  is  yet  Redi  and 
willing  too  agre  with  him  for  the  futr  and  if  he  se  case  from  this 
uote  thar  was  no  man  decented 

at  a  ginarall  Town  meting  grotin  desem  28  d  1685  the  inhabitanc 
being  ginarally  asembled  that  they  did  then  agree  and  by  uot  declar 
that  they  will  giue  Mr  Hubord  this  yer  a  hundrid  pound  and  from 
yer  too  yer  as  standing  wagis  in  pay  as  followeth  teen  pounds  worth 
in  pork  and  the  Rest  of  the  pay  shall  be  payd  in  such  pay  as  it 
plase  god  to  bles  us  with  all  —  the  pork  is  too  Be  payd  at  threpanc  a 
pound  and  the  corn  at  cort  pris 

William  longley  doth  desent  from  this  uote  Jonas  prescod  Josh- 
iway  whitny     Dackn  Loranc     nicklas  Cady  jr     Willam  gren 

4d  II  m  1685 
This  hundred  pound  uote  was  confurmed  at  a  ginarell  Town 
metin  hild  at  grotin  4d  11  m  1685  the  second  time  and  mr  hubords 
asinement  too  the  fower  cor  pound  uot  was  not  consentid  too 

8  d  II  1685  at  a  seleckt  mens  meting  the  seleckt  men  did  mack 
a  rat  of  seuenty  fiue  pound  and  did  laue  the  Town  at  thar  liberty 
too  con  furm  the  four  cor  pound  for  standing  wagis  and  if  thay  if 
thay  se  cas  be  twen  this  and  the  day  of  aleckyon  of  the  Town 
ofisers 

at  a  ginarall  Town  meting  i  d  12  1685  the  Town  of  grotin  agred 
upon  and  uotid  that  the  seleckt  men  shall  mack  uoat  for  mr  Hub- 
ards  vers  sallary  of  a  hundrid  pound  in  pay  as  is  expresed  in  that 
uot  which   pasd  28  d  10  m  1685 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  93 

at  a  seleckt  mens  meting  5  d  12  m  1685-86  Samiwell  Kemp  was 
chosin  too  swep  the  metin  hous  for  the  yer  1686  and  his  yer  be  gin 
the  tenth  day  of  march  next  and  he  is  too  haue  won  and  twenty 
shillins  for  that  work  in  corn  pay 

at  a  genirill  Town  21  day  2  m  1686  the  nams  of  thos  parsins 
which  war  chosin  tithin  men  Joseph  loranc  Palig  Loranc  Nicklos 
Huchion  Samiwell  Wods  sener  Jonathan  Loranc 

at  the  sam  meting  Josiah  Parkr  was  Chosen  Clark  of  the  Rits 

at  a  ginarall  toown  meting  held  at  grotin  July  27  1686  it  was 
then  agred  upon  and  uotid  that  thay  wold  giue  too  mr  garshom 
Hubord  four  core  pound  a  yer  and  soo  anoloaly  as  he  continou 
the  Towns  ministr  won  quartr  part  in  money  the  other  thre  parts  in 
such  as  it  plas  god  too  bless  them  with  all  in  cas  the  non  Residnc 
pay  thar  purporsion  as  they  haue  doon  formerly  don 

but  otherwise  and  if  the  non  Residnc  be  exemptid  we  doo  agree 
too  giue  the  sayd  garshom  Hubord  seuenty  pound  this  yer  and  soo 
anoly  won  quartr  part  in  money  and  if  any  pursin  canot  paye  his 
part  in  money  have  a  liberty  too  pay  his  quartr  part  in  corn  or 
other  prouision  at  half  prise 

Josiah  Parker,  the  ninth  town  clerk,  was  the  son  of  Captain 
James  and  Elizabeth  (Long)  Parker,  and  was  born  in  the  year 
1655.  He  held  the  office  during  the  remainder  of  1686  after 
the  death  of  Mr.  Morse,  and  until  the  year  1691  inclusive. 
His  handwriting  was  good,  and  he  expressed  himself  well. 
He  was  a  Captain,  and  served  in  the  war  against  the  Indians  ; 
he  was  in  command  at  Groton,  July  21,  1706,  when  Nathaniel 
Healy,  of  Newton,  one  of  his  company  was  "waylaid"  and 
slain,  together  with  Ebenezer  Seger,  also  of  Newton,  "  as  they 
were  going  to  Meeting  On  the  Sabbath  day."  His  brother, 
Joshua,  subsequently  married  the  widow  of  his  predecessor. 

At  a  select  mens  meeting  Decembr  the  3";  1686 :  we  y"  s"^  select 
men  find  the  town  indeebted  as  foloweth  viz 
to  Cap*  James  Parker  for  tacking  y*  towns  Invoic  in 

y^ year; 1685  030 

to  Samuell  Kemp  for  sweping  the  meeting  houes 

in  y*  year  86  his  year  began  on  march  y'lo  oioio 


94  EARLY   RECORDS    OF 

to  James  Parker  for  worke  don  at  y*  highways 

in  y*  year  84  o  06     o 

to  William  longly  for  Runing  the  line  betwen 

this  &  Chelmsford  00  03     o 

to  Josiah  Parker  for  y'  select  mens  expences  mony  026 

for  y'  papr  3  qur  016 

Decembr:  10:  86     Thes  aboue  named  Deebts  ware  aproued  by 

a  town  voat. 

Atest  Josiah  Parker  Clark 

this  payd  to  y*'  aboue  sd  porsons  p  order  of  y*  select  men : 

Decembr.  10:  1686  at  a  Ginral  towne  meeting  to  chons  town 
ofesers.  cap'  James  parker  was  Chose  modrater  for  y*  day :  for  con- 
stabls  Christepher  hall :  and  Nicklos  cady  sen' 

for  select  men     i  cap'  James  Parker         5  James  Parker 

2  John  Page  6  Peleg  lawranc 

3  Josia  Parkr  7  ensi  John  lacken 

4  John  Parish 
Josiah  Parker   Clarke  for  this  year 

for  sauaiers  of  high  ways  John  Mors  John  Barron  Jonathan 
lawranc      nathanell  blood 

a  comitey  chos  to  tacke  notes  of  incrochments  in  to  high  ways  & 
towns  land  lef  Willim  Lacken  sargnt  James  Knop  Copo'  John 
Page 

and  what  thay  find  amis  to  reglaut  &.  so  to  macke  ther  Report  to  y' 
select  men 

Corporal  page  chous  to  Joyne  with  the  former  comity  to  see  that 
all  y'  seats  be  filed  3  in  y'  meting  hous  : 

Groton.  Decmbr :  24:  1686  At  a  towne  meeting  Jams  Parker 
Juner  was  chos  by  the  town  to  sue  John  Page  for  so  much  as  was 
due  to  M'  Gershom  hobart  in  the  year  that  the  s**  Page  was  consta- 
bell  the  s**  page  Refusing  to  bring  an  aquetanc  from  M'  Gershom 
hobart  to  the  towne  and  whart  charg  the  sd  Parker  is  exposd  to  the 
town  is  to  mack  good  to  him 

Atest  Josiah  Parker  Clark 

Decembr  24*!'  1686  :  At  a  Giniall  town  meeting:  Joseph  parker 
sener  being  Rated  for  a  28  :  acer  right  for  some  years  past  &  now 
Refusing  to  pay  for.  10.  acres  of  s"*  28  acres  the  town  deed  then  by 
voat  Detarmen  and  grant  to  cap'  James  Parker  the  s''  10  acer  Right 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  95 

with  y^  same  priueligs  that  outher  ten  acer  Rights  haue  had  that 
ware  lately  granted  by  y*  town  y*  said  cap'  parker  payeng  the  dues 
past  &  to  come  that  shall  arise  on  a  ten  acre  right  with  all  after 
deuishans 

JosiAH  Parker  Clark 

April  14**'  1687  the  Selectmen  chose  Cap*  James  Parker  & 
Peleg  Lawranc  to  Renew  the  line  betwe  Chelmsford  and  groton 
which  thay  atended  and  are  to  have  thre  shilings  apiese  for  the 
labor  to  be  payd  by  y^  town  06     00 

April.  14.  1687.  Sargnt  James  Knop  Zachriah  Parker  &  Joseph 
Gilson  ware  chose  to  renew  the  line  betwen  mr  Jonathan  Tyngs 
new  Plantaton  &  our  Towne.  and  thay  atended  y*  sd  work  on  June 
folowing:  22.  &  23  days,  for  which  sd  Knop  is  to  Receue  fine  shil- 
ings p  day  &  sd  Parker  &  gilson  three  shiling  &  six  penc  p  day 
apece.  which  is  to  be  payd  by  y*  town,     y^  total  is  01  =  04  =  00 

June  :  I4*^  1687  the  comity  chosen  Decembr:  lo'**  1686  this  day 
by  examanatoun  of  a  high  way  lying  betwen  y'^  lot  y'  was  wilim  martins 
&  Joseph  Lawrance  find  by  euedans  y'  y*  incrochment  in  y*  high 
way  is  by  the  sayd  Joseph  lawranc  except  in  one  Place  ouer  against 
Joseph  lawrancs  houes  &  ther  is  a  swamp  oack  tree  so  marked  within 
■  Insin  lackens  fence  and  eleswher  y°  high  way  to  Remain  &  Con- 
tinu  four  pols  wid  &  what  it  now  wants  is  tacken  out  of  Joseph 
lawrancs  that  he  now  injoys  as  y*  markes  derect :  finding  him  to  be 
y*  incrochr  :  y*  witns 

Jams  Parkr 
Nathaneel  blood 
Atest  JosiAH  Parker  town  clarke 

The  Town  Dr:  1687  Noumbr.  7 

To  Corpral  John  Page  for  goeng  to  Salam  to  fech  u 

John  Longlys  Rats  00     07     00 

to  Sag'  James  Knop  and  corp'  John  Page  for 

inspecting  incrochments  00     04       o 

to  Samell  Kemp  for  sweping  y*  meeting  house  01     01       o 

To  James  Knop  for  Reneweng  the  line  be- 
twen m"^  Tyngs  new  Pantaton  &  our  towne  00     10     00 

To  capt  James  Parkr  for  Reneweng  the  line  betwen 

chelmesford  and  our  towne  i  day  00     03       o 


oo 

07 

0 

OI 

01 

0 

oo 

01 

6 

96  EARLY   RECORDS    OF 

and  betwen  m"^  tyngs  &  our  towne  2  days  00     07 

to  Peleg  lawranc  for  reneweng  the  line  betwen 

Chelmsford  &  our  towne  00     03 

to  Joseph  Gilson  for  atending  Sarg"'  Knop  in 

Reneweng  y^  line  betwen  m''  Tynge  & 

our  towne 
to  Purchis  a  Constabls  Stafe  in  pay 
to  James  Parker  for  saruing  an  atachment  on 

corprall  Page 

03     03       6 

Decembr,  9.  1687  this  aboue  writon  aocoumpt  was  Read  to  the 
towne  and  aproued  p  y^  s'^  towne  : 

Attest  JosiAH  Parker  Towne  clarke 

3     03       6 

Groton.  Decmbr.  9*  1687  At  a  ginrall  town  meeting  to  chous 
towne  ofesers  Cap'  James  Parker  chose  modrater  for  that  meet- 
ing :     Constabel  for  y*  year.     Elias  Barron :  Select  men 

1  Jonas  Prescot  \This  name  erased. '\      William  green  senor 

2  Jonathan  Sawtall  Samwell  Woods  senor 

3  Joshua  Whitny 

Wiliam  Longly  Clarke  for  y*  year. 

Surwayers.     Zachriah  Sawtall 

Wiliam  Longly  Cornelos  church 

SamuU  Scriptur  Justinen  holden 

William  Longley  was  chosen  town  clerk  for  the  year  1688, 
though  it  does  not  appear  that  he  served  for  any  length  of 
time.  At  the  first  town  meeting  after  his  election,  Josiah 
Parker  was  re-chosen  to  the  oflfice,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  rec- 
ords of  the  next  meeting. 


A  town  Rate  mad  by  the  selectmen  febuery.  2\ 
eng 
wherof  ther  is  payed  to  those  which  y*  town  was 

indeebted  to 
of  which  5"  2'  6'^  was  mony 


687. 

contain- 

05 

18   4 

05 

02   6 

00 

07   6 

GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  97 

Groton  maye  the  21.  1688  at  a  genarall  Town  metten  acording 
to  law  the  town  did  Chuse  for  selectmen 

Captain  Parker  Jonah  Prescott 

Liftenant  laken  John  Page  se 

Peleg  lawranc  Josaah  Parker 

and  for  a  Commishoner   Sargant  Jeams  Knap 
and  for  Constable   elias  baran      Josiah  Paker  Town  Clarck 

The  record  of  the  meeting  as  far  as  this  point  is  in  the 
handwriting  of  Longley,  but  the  other  entries  are  in  that  of 
Parker. 

for  suruayers  Zackriah  Sawtall 

Wiliam  Longly  Samull  Scriptur 

Cornelos  church  Justin  holdeng 

May:  21.  1688  The  inhabtants  of  Groton  Granted  to  Samull 
Adams  y*  pond  that  lyes  neare  buck  medQW  which  hath  its  outlet 
into  the  medow  known  by  y^  name  of  Tyngs  Couee  and  the  swampy 
land  adioyeng  ther  to  prouided  y^  sd  land  do  not  exceed  fifteen 
accers  ; 

atest;  Josiah  Parker  Clarke 

and  sd  adams  hath  liberty  to  drean  the  s**  pond  at  y^  small  brook 
that  unes  in  to  Tyng's  Coue  prouided  sd  Adames  macks  good  all 
dameges  that  shall  be  don  ther  by 

Groton  ;  May;  21*''  1688  at  y^  anneal  meeting  23  of  the  inhab- 
tans  of  Groton  then  uoated  that  ther  should  be  land  sould  to  the 
uarlow  of  forty  shilings  mony  at  six  penc  p  accer  prouided  this 
land  to  be  Layed  out  be  taken  up  be  four  mills  from  the  meeting 

hous  at  lest ; 

atest  Josiah  Parkr  Clark 

at  the  same  time  seurell  of  the  inhabtants  decented  from  the 

aboue  named  uoat  and  entred  ther  names 

Josiah  Parker 
John  Page 
James  Nuting 
Groton  :  May  y*   21""  day:  1688     at  y""  anueal  towne  meeting  the 
Inhabatan  of  this  towne  deed  then  by  the  maior  uoat  grant  for  the 
incoregment  of  such  m'en  as  will  set  up  loran  works  at  masabog 
pond  \  that  thay  shall  haue  y^  ues  &  improument  of  the  woods  and 
timbr  y'  is  now  common  one  the  est  sid  of  uncuttanaset  brook  and 


98  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

so  to  nashua  riuer  and  groton    line   est  ward  &   south  ward   to 

good  man  greens  masobog  medow  for  ther  incorigment  in  y*  s^  worke 

allways   prouided  y^   inhabatnts  of   y"  afere  s*^  towne  resarue  to 

y™  selus  the  liberty  to  cut  the  wood  for  y^  ues  of  s^  works  and  also 

for  carting  of  y*  s"*  wood  or  coall  prouided  y'  s**  workes  be  up  or 

seteng  up  betwen  this  day  and  the  2 1*''  day  of  may  next ;  no  man 

inhabiting  with  in  y^  s"*  town  to  be  hindred  from  wood  or  timbr  for 

his  one  ues 

Atest  J06IAH  Parker  Clarke 

A  sworn  declaration  of  John  Lowwell  and  Thomas  Blan- 
chard.  both  of  Dunstable,  is  recorded  in  the  Middlesex  Regis- 
try of  Deeds  at  East  Cambridge  (xvni.488,  489),  setting  forth 
the  fact  that  they  were  at  Massapoag  in  Groton,  on  the  twen- 
tieth day  of  May,  1689,  and  did  "help  both  to  dige  for  &  to 
sett  up  some  part  of  an  Iron  Worke."  From  this  record  it 
would  appear  that  the  vote  of  the  town  had  its  desired 
effect. 

July  :  13  :  1688  at  a  meeting  of  the  select  men  thay  then  deed 
alow  to  James  fiske  Jun'  out  of  the  Rate  made  to  Releue  the  pouer 
in  pay  :  1 2^ :  money  :  i* :  6"^  ;^oo  =13  =  6: 

butt  after  refused  to  Receue  it  at  the  towns  hands. 

A  town  Rate  made  by  the  select  men 
containeng  ^9  =  14^  =  g"*:  ^  money  £o()  =  14      09 

Elias  Barron  gaue  in  his  acomp**  to  y^  towne  and  y"'  Remains  due 
to  y^  towne  money:  9':  lo'^.  and  pay:  £0        9  =  10 

£2    :  12  =     9 
and  from  cap*  Parker  money  ;^o  =  08  =     o 

Cap'  Parker  payed  his  aboue  s**  8'  in  nayels  for  y*        £0  =8=0 
meeting  houes 

a  a  Ginrall  towne  meeting  June.  24.  1689  towne  ofeseres  chose 
for  the  yeare  ensueng 

John  farnworth     Constabelle 

select  men         Jonas  Prescott  Cap'  Parker 

John  Parish  Mathias  farnworth 

\_These  last  four  names  are  crossed  out  in  the  originaL'\ 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  99 

June:  24*.*?  1689     at  a  towne  meeting  towne  ofesers  chose 
Cap'  Parker  modrator  John  farnworth  cunstabell 

Select  men         Cap*  Parker  John  Paresh 

Jonas  Prescott  Josiah  Parker  Clarck 

John  Page 
Suruay'  of  highways     Cornelos  Church         Enosh  Lawranc 

Stephen  holden  Mathias  farnworth 

John  Longley 
fenc  ueiwrs         Daneil  Cadye  James  Parker 

Ephram  Philbrok  W™  Sandors 

august  12*  1689  :  at  a  towne  meeting  it  was  then  detarmened  by 
uoat  that  thay  would  geeue  to  m'  Gurshom  hobart  the  anueall  alow- 
anc  of  aighty  pounds  p  yeare  in  specea  acordeng  to  the  former 
agreemen  bareng  date  august,  the.  2:  1686:  and:  40:  coard  of 
wood  prouided  thos  men  that  here  after  enter  ther  names  do  pay 
such  mens  proporshan  of  money  as  do  bring  in  come  to  them  at 
y^  prises  folowing  wheat  at  2^  6"^  Ry  at  2^  Inden  come  at  18^  p 
bushell  good  and  marchentabell :  the  persons  that  are  to  pay  the 
money  are 

Prouided  thos  men  that  will 

bring  in  ther  come  do  enter  ther 

names  within  one  weeke  after 

the  date  hereof 

Groton :  August  the  :  12"' :  1689  at  a  towne  meeting  it  was  then 
detarmened  by  uoate  that  the  select  men  should  forthwith  mack  a 
teen  pound  Rate  leued  on  on  euery  Inhabetant  proposhonably  to 
maintain  soulders  at  m'  hobarts  garason  :  to  the  number  of  fouer 
untell  thay  be  orderly  Remoued  from  us 

Atest  Josiah  Parker  Clarke 

August.  12.  1689      Cap' James  Parker:      Sarg  Jonathan  Sawtall 
Decon  Lawranc  John  farnworth 

Cornelos  church  &  Josiah  Parker 

Lef  Jonas  Prescot 
do  Respond  for  the  non  Resedents  Rats  to  M"^  hobart  for  this 
yeares  solory 

Septmbr:  30"':  1689     one  singel  Rate  to  the  Coun- 

S  d 

trey  is  ;^i4  =  09     05 


Cap'  James  Parker 
Lef  Jonas  Prescot 
John  farnworth 
Josiah  Parker 


lOO  EARLY    RECORDS    OF 

At  a  meeting  Decmbr.   lo'!*  1689     then  town  ofesers  chose  for 
the  year  ensueng 

Constabelle        Josiah  Parker 

for  select  men     Cap*  James  Parker  Corprall  John  Page  : 

Lef  Jonas  Prescott  Lef  Wiliam  Lacken 

Sarg'  Jonathan  Sawtall 
Surwayers  of  highways     William  Green  John  Page 

lefet  Jonas  Pre"fecott     Simon  Stone 
[/«  the  margin  of  the  above  record.'\     decmbr.  9.  1690     The  fiue 
suruayers  chose  in  y'  yer  89  noted  to  same  for  the  year  90 
fenc  uewers  Enosh  Lawranc  Cornelos  church 

John  Paresh  John  Cady 

att  y°  select  mens  meeting  Decmbr   10 :  1689  Joseph  Lawranc 

agreed  with  to  swep  y*  meeting  house  hang  out  y'  flag  &  carry 

water   for   Baptiseng  children  for  one  yere  :   &  is  to  haue  for  y' 

saruis  y*  sum  of  26*  ;^oi     06     00 

towne  deter  to  Elias  Baron 
for  shingell  &  shingling  y'  meeting  house,  in 
decembr.  lo"*  1689: 
more  for  a  lader  &  y*  meting  hous 
to  Josep  lawranc 
.  .  .  Joseph  lawrance  pay 

Decmbr,  20'!"  1689  :     fiue  Pay  Rates  made  by  the  selectmen  con- 

taineng  £']2  =  07  =  01 

and  tow  Rates  and  an  halfe  money  ;^36  =  03  =  06 

Decmbr.  23,  1689  At  a  towne  metting  legaly  warned  one  porpos 
to  Know  the  towns  mind  in  what  way  to  Raise  Publick  charges  in 
the  towne  the  towne  then  unamisly  uouted  and  declared  that  it 
should  be  Raised  acording  to  our  former  custom  as  it  is  Recorded 
in  the  towne  book,  in  the  year.  16S1  : 

at  the  same  meeting  agreed  &  uoted  that  that  no  Indein  shall 
come  into  our  towne  to  dwell  or  trad  without  lisanc  from  authority: 

At  y^  sam  time  Jo"  Page  James  Knop  and  Sam"  woods  sen""  ware 
chose  by  the  towne  to  statte  y^  bounds  betwene  the  contrey  high- 
way &  m'  hobarts  land  &  swamp  p  y*  Request  of  seuerall  of  the 
naibours  :  m'  hobart  allso  hauing  notes  there  of 
Bounds  statted  the  same  day  &  markes  made  by  y'  aboue  s**  men : 


£^ 

s 

02 

d 

6 

£0 

02 

0 

0 

09 

0 

GROTON,    MASSACHUSETTS.  lOI 

April  8*  1690  William  Green  beeing  ouer  Rated  to  y"  contrey 
one  hoad  to  seuen  rats  and  halfe  is  to  be  considerd  by  the  select 
men  the  next  Rate 

p  ordr  JosiAH  Parker  Clerk 

april  the  28*  1690  ;  tenn  Pay  Rates  £^44  =  14  =  02 

Septembr.  the  :  4'!"  1690     tow  Rates  &  halfe  money 

beeing  £^6  =  03  =  06 

Octobr  27*''  1690  At  a  ginrall  towne  meeting  it  was  then  uoated 
that  thay  would  pay  m""  Garshom  hobart  aighty  pound  p  year  ac- 
cording as  it  is  writen  in  the  towne  booke  for  the  yeare  insueng ; 
prouided  ;  he  come  &  be  with  us  so  that  we  haue  a  constant 
soply  of  precheng  the  word  on  lords  days  by  himselfe  or  som 
other  autherdocks  minester  of  y^  gospell : 

Decmb'' :  9'.''  1690     towne  ofecers  chose  for  y^  year  ensueng 
for  constabls     Zachriah  Parker     and     John  Lackan  Jr 
Selectmen  Lef  Jonas  Presot        Wiliam  Longly 

Sarg'  James  Knop       Josiah  Parker  Towne  Clark 
Sarg'  John  Paresh 
Tietheng  men   Wiliam  Green  Nicklos  huchens 

Samuell  warner  sn'       Joshua  Whetny  sen"^ 
ouer  seeres  of  swine  Jonathan  Lawranc    Sam"  Woods  senr 
Sam"  Woods  Juner   Nat  Lawranc 
Nick  huchens  benimn  Farner 

Steuen  holden  Joseph  Lawanc 

decmbr.  9.  1690.  at  a  ginral  towne  meetting  it  was  then  uoated 
that  master  hobart     [7%i?  record  not  completed^ 

June.  i8'\  1691.  At  a  ginral  towne  meeting  legaly  warned  the 
towne  being  ginerlay  together  ded  then  by  uoat  declar  that  thay 
would  stand  to  their  counant  with  m""  hobart  and  honestly  performe 
it  to  him  prouided  m"^  hobart  return  to  us  and  purforme  his  duty 
amonst  us  as  was  promised  by  him  when  we  entred  into  counant 
with  him  ;  viz  ;  aighty  pounds  pur  year  and  so  yearly ;  one  forth  part 
in  money  and  the  other  three  parts  in  prouishan  as  it  expresed  in 
the  counant  in  the  newe  towne  book  and  forty  Cord  of  wood  and 
so  aneuely 
Read  and  aproued  by  the  maior  part  of  the  towne : 

attest  Josiah  Parker  Towne  Clarke 


102  EARLY   RECORDS    OF 

The  names  of  those  that  decent  from  the  aboue  s"*  towne  act  but 
do  promes  for  to  pay  their  owne  proposhans  to  m'  hobart  of  y* 
s**  aighty  pounds  and  forty  cord  of  wood 

John  Page  John  Paresh 

James  Knap  Sam"  Wood  senr 

James  Parker  Ju'  Tho  Tarball 

Nicolos  hutchens  Jphn  Lacken  Ju' 

Zachriah  Parker  Josiah  Parker 

John  Lawranc 

Dcembr:  lo*:  1691     Towne  ofFecers  chose  for  the  yeare  insueng 
Constabls        Jonathan  Lawrance  Thomas  Tarball : 

Select  men      Cap'  James  Parker  Lef  Willim  Lacken 

Lef  Jonas  Prescott  Sarg*  James  Knap 

Sarg*  James  Parker  Jun"^ 
Towne  Clarke  Lef  Jonas  Prescott 

Suruayers  of  high  ways     Ensign  John  Laken      John  Page  Sener 
Lef  Prescot  Simon  Stone 

William  green 


Decmbr.    10:  i6gi :     Chose  for 
fence  uears  &  hoge  constables 


Enosh  Lawrance 
Zach  Parker 
Danel  Cady 
Elezear  Parker 
Zakriah  Sawtall  agreed  with  to  be  saxton  for  y"  yeare 
Ensuing  for  which  he  is  to  haue  twenty  flue  shilings        £1  .5  =  0 
agreed  upon  that  a  council  shall  be  caled  Refuring  to  y*  setl- 
ment  of  a  minester  amongest  us  as  that  y^  Charges  shall  be  borne 
by  the  towne  ;  &c. 

Comisnoers  to  Try  small  cases 

Cap'  James  Parker  John  Page  sener 

Lef  Jonas  Prescot 

A  towne  Rate  made  p  y*  select  men  in  y"  j'ear :  1690!^:  con- 
taineng  £^  -    3  =  0 

which  was  desposed  on  as  foloweth 
to  Joseph  Lawrance  for  sweping  y"  meeting  house 

and  hangeng  out  y''  flag  ;^i  =     6  =  0 

to  sargn'  Knop  &  Zach  Parker 


;^o  = 

06 

0 

£o-. 

9 

=  0 

£o  - 

3 

=  0 

Deem 

5  ■ 
br. 

-  6 
10  : 

GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  I03 

for  Repayring  y"  pound  £0  =  13      6 

to  Renewing  y"  line  betwen  Chelmsford 

and  our  towne  2  days  at  3^ 
to  James  Nutting  for  katchen  of  woulues  3 
to  Joseph  Parker  for  catching  of  a  wolfe  3^ 
left  in  y"^  constables  hands  namly 

Zach  Parker  to  purches  a  lock  for  y**  pound 
this  account  was  Read  and  approued  by  y*  towne. 
1 69 1 

as  attest  Josiah  Parker  Towne  Clarke 

Jonas  Prescott,  the  tenth  town  clerk,  was  the  son  of  John  and 
Mary  (Platts)  Prescott,  of  Lancaster,  where  he  was  born  in  June, 
1648.  He  held  the  office  during  the  years  1692  and  1696  ;  his 
handwriting  is  plain,  but  his  spelling  is  simply  abominable. 
He  married  December  14,  1672,  Mary,  daughter  of  John  and 
Mary  (Draper)  Loker,  and  they  had  four  sons  and  eight  daugh- 
ters. Two  of  the  sons  died  young,  but  all  the  other  children 
lived  to  grow  up  and  have  families.  The  eight  daughters, 
with  one  exception,  married  Groton  men,  and  were  blessed 
with  a  numerous  offspring.  He  was  the  grandfather  of  Colo- 
nel William  Prescott,  who  commanded  the  American  forces 
at  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  and  who  was  the  grandfather  of 
the  distinguished  historian.  Jonas  died  December  31,  1723, 
aged  75  years,  having  filled  many  important  positions  in  the 
town. 

groton  dasamber  21  1691  at  a  genaral  town  meting  lagaly 
warn  &  the  town  being  genaraly  matt  togeth[er]  did  then  uoat  that 
thay  would  inuite  som  meet  parson  to  prach  gods  word  to  them 
with  as  much  speed  as  as  may  be 

2  At  the  same  day  thay  did  apoint  and  by  uoat  daclare  that  sa 
Josiah  parkar  and  sar  John  parish  &  Wiliam  longly  &  sar 
James  parkar  should  go  down  &  fach  up  som  meet  parsan  to 
preach  to  us  &  the  town  is  to  bare  the  charg 

groton  dasamber  28.  169 1  at  a  genaral  town  meting  lagalaly 
warned  the  inhabitants  did  then  by  uoat  daclare  that  thay  would 
giue  to  the  minister  m""  hancock  aight  pounds  money  for  the  first 


104  EARLY  RECORDS   OF 

quarter  of  the  yere  and  pay  for  his  bord  besides  &  this  to  be  payed 
by  way  of  Raate 

the  same  day  y*  town  did  uoat  that  the  charges  Rafaring  to  the 
ministers  &:  rooms  m'  hobrt  &  the  other  minister  should  be  payd 
out  of  the  3  pound  of  paper  bells  of  cradit  in  the  capt  hand  that 
was  giuen  for  scouting 

it  was  uoatedallso  that  thay  would  pay  5  shilins  par  week  in 
corn  an  prouishan  for  liis  bord 

John  Page  goodman  woods  senr  &  Joseph  lawrence  John  baron 
Curnals  Church  &  John  farnworth  was  chosen  tything  men  by  the 
salackt  men  for  to  same  in  the  yere  169^  at  a  meting  of  ye  salact 
men  genware  26  day  1691 

The  following  entry,  from  its  position  in  the  records  and 
from  the  context,  evidently  belongs  in  this  place. 

Groton  march  :  2 1 :  1692  at  a  genaral  town  meting  lagaly  warned 
the  town  did  then  by  uoat  datarman  that  thay  would  giue  to  master 
hancock  the  full  som  of  sixtey  pound  one  fourth  part  siluer  for  a 
yers  salarey  for  Preaching  in  order  to  ordnation  in  dew  time  and 
the  other  three  parts  in  pay  corn  or  prouishon  at  comon  prys  & 
mr  hancocock  bord  himsalf 

Jonas  Prescott  Clark 
daken  lawrans  John  Parish 

Jonas  Prescott  Cornalus  church 

was  chosen  to  dascors  with  mr  hancock  to  see  if  he  wil  acsapt  of 
the  towns  profr 

in  groton  may  the:  16:  1692  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  being 
mat  togather  this  day  to  consider  of  som  tarmes  Rafaring  to  mr  han- 
cocks  wadges  for  praching  the  word  of  god  to  us  &  thay  did  this 
day  by  uoat  datarman  to  giue  mr  hancock  fine  pounds  in  money  for 
his  praching  8  sabath  days  before  the  comminsment  and  pay  for 
his  hording  and  then  if  he  pleas  to  acsapt  of  the  towns  proposish- 
ans  in  order  to  satlment  in  dew  time  wt  the  inhabitants  of  this  town 
shall  Radely  acsapt  of  him  for  our  minister  &c 

Jonas  Prescott  town  dark 

James  noting  hath  cradit  for  both  his  pay  Rats 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  105 

May  16:  1692  the  inhabitants  did  the  same  day  uoat  that  the 
town  charges  for  this  prasant  yere  shall  be  Raised  by  parsons  and 
astats  acording  to  law  &c 

at  a  genaral  town  meting  lagaly  warned  the:  21  :  of  ocktober : 
1692  :  the  maiger  part  of  the  town  then  by  uoat  daclare  that  thay 
would  Rais  the  Rates  for  this  prasant  yere  both  for  minister  and 
town  by  Rateabl  astats  acording  to  law 

the  same  day  the  maiger  part  of  the  town  did  by  uoat  daclare 
that  thay  ware  wiling  for  mr  carter  to  com  forth  with  to  be  our 
satled  minister  in  order  to  ordanation  in  dew  time  ockt:  21 :  1692 
at  the  same  meeting  the  town  did  agree  to  giue  mr  Carter  for 
this  prasant  yere  the  som  of  sixty  pounds  in  manar  as  foloweth  one 
fourth  money  the  other  part  in  corn  and  prouisione  at  town  pryse  to 
be  payed  the  one  half  by  the  first  of  march  and  before  as  he  needeth 
it  and  the  other  half  by  the  16.  of  saptem  naxt  insewing  after  the 
dat  hereof    ockt  21  :  1692 

at  a  genaral  town  meting  lagely  warnid  dacember  the.  12.   1692 
this  day  the  town  did  chus  for  constabls  this  yere 
nathanil  lawrens  and  steuen  holdin 
the  salackt  men  for  this  prasant  yere  are  these  as  foloweth 
John  farnworth  Wilim  langly 

Jonathan  lawrans  Zackrey  parker 

Siman   Ston 
the  same  day  the  12.  of  dacember  the  town  did  then  chuse 
capt  parkr  and  John  Page 

laft  lakin  saner  and  sarg  Knop 

and  Samll  Woods  and  Wiliam  green 

Jonas  Prescott  to  seat  parsons  in  the  meeting  hous  acording  to 
thare  best  disscrashan  and  acording  to  the  Ranks  &  quality  of 
parsons 

Wiliam  langly  was  chosen  town  dark  for  this  prasant  yere 
For  suruares  for  this  prasant  yere  are  these 

goodm  huchins  corpral  Warnr 

&  Samll  Parkar  tho  tarball 

the  same  day  the  town  did  by  uaat  giue  to  corpral  Warnar  a 
small  quantety  of  land  lying  betwen  Joseph  gilsons  lot  and  his  own 

as  atast  Jonas  Prescott  Clark 

the  town  did  the  same  day  uoat  to  giue  for  a  saxton  to  swep  the 
meting  hous  &  put  out  the  flag  and  doe  all  the  work  of  a  saxton 
thay  wil  alow  twenty  shilins 


I06  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

The  Rates  mad  by  the  salackt  men  for  the  payment  of  the  sau- 
eral  sames  spasifyed  in  the  aboue  manshaned  sames  &  commmited 
the  constabls 

a  Rat  mad  by  the  salackt  men  &  commited  to  the  2  constables 

to  Jonathan  lawrans  constabl  money  3  ~    3  ~     7 

&  to  tho  tarball  constabl  money  2-7-3 

tarbals  comon  pay  >^  1-4         i 

lauranses  comm  pay  i       12         6 

the  whol  som  of  money  5       10       10 

the  whol  som  of  comon  pay  2       16         7 

The  whol  som  of  the  Rates  in  comon  pay 

Raised  in  the  yere  1692  was  7         5         2 

of  which  the  captin  is  payed  6       14         o 

thare  is  still  in  constabls  tarbals  hand  to 

pay  to  the  saxton  051 

thes  accounts  was  Rad  &  aproued  by  the  town  the.  12.  of  da- 
cember  1692 

as  atast  Jonas  prescott  town  dark 

James  nuting  hath  cradit  for  both  his  pay  Rats  to  the  minesters 
bord  01     II 

to  Wil  longly  02       2 

corp  warner  020 

William  Longley,  the  eleventh  town  clerk,  was  the  son  of 
William  and  Joanna  Longley,  and  held  the  office  during  the 
year  1693  and  until  his  death  in  the  summer  of  1694.  His 
father  had  previously  held  the  same  position,  and  from  the 
similarity  of  their  names  the  two  have  sometimes  been  con- 
founded with  each  other.  The  tragical  fate  of  the  son's  fam- 
ily will  long  be  remembered.  With  the  exception  of  one 
boy,  they  were  all  massacred  by  the  Indians  on  the  morning 
of  July  27,  1694.  They  lived  about  a  mile  north  of  the  vil- 
lage ;  and  last  autumn  the  town,  in  commemoration  of  the  sad 
event,  erected  a  monument  on  the  site  of  their  dwelling- 
house.  William  Longley  made  an  entry  in  the  town  records 
July  19,  only  eight  days  before  his  death,  and  during  the  re- 
mainder of  the  year  the  records  appear  to  have  been  kept  by 
different  persons.     In   making  his  records,  he  used  the  new 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  I07 

Style  of  reckoning  so  far  as  to  begin  the  year  with  the  first  of 
January.  His  son  John,  who  alone  of  the  family  escaped  from 
the  massacre,  subsequently  was  town  clerk  during  several 
years. 

January  i,  1693  at  a  genaraell  town  meetting  orderley  warned 
the  town  did  by  the  maier  uote  determine  y'  they  would  raise  all 
the  charge  for  this  present  year  on  untill  y^  town  see  cause  to  allter 
y^  waye  by  Ratable  estat  as  foloweth  euery  maill  head  at  sixteen 
years  and  upward  at  one  shilline  in  the  single  and  so  to  duble  with 
ratable  estate  acording  to  law  each  horse  40  shillins  each  ox  at  40 
shillins  each  cow  30  shillin  sheep  and  swine  4  pound  par  scor  all 
impruf  land  at  10  shillins  par  acorexscept  pastors  and  medows  that 
are  with  in  fenc  a  5  shiUins  par  acor  euery  house  y'  hath  but  one 
schimney  at  one  peney  in  y^  single  and  so  preportionnall  euery 
barn  with  one  baye  at  one  peney  in  the  single  and  so  proportishan- 
able  and  Liften  prescot  for  his  mills  at  50  pound  in  y*  single 

as  wittness  William  Longley  town  Clarck. 

ienuary  the  i  —  1693  the  town  did  agree  for  to  alow  Samuell 
Scriptor  Se  and  John  gree  20  shillins  a  peess  in  town  paye  and  no 
more 

the  same  daye  the  town  did  agree  to  alowe  goodwife  Church  2 
shillins  in  town  paye  and  no  more 

Fabruary  the  6  1693  the  inhabitanc  being  met  togather  for  to 
Consider  of  sum  waye  for  to  preuent  futar  unnessesary  charges  did 
by  uott  declare  that  they  would  petishone  unto  the  genaraill  Court 
that  ther  representetiue  might  be  relesed  from  atending  the  Sesh- 
one  any  more 

the  same  daye  the  town  did  by  uott  desclare  that  they  would 
haue  dacon  Lawranc  for  to  manidge  the  portistione  for  them  which 
the  Comithy  hath  draw  up 

March  6  1693     at  a  genarall  town  meeting  Legally  warned  Town 
ofiser  were  choosen  for  this  year  whose  names  are  under  writen 
for  constables     nathanal  lawranc    and  Steuen  holden 
for  selectmen     William  Longley      Samuell  Woods  sen 

Joh  fannworth         elias  baran 

Zacarih  Parker        William  Longley  town  Clarck 
for  Commishonnor  Jeams  parker  Junor 


I08  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

the  Commity  for  to  giue  the  select  men  in  stractione  for  this 
year  is  Jeams  Knap  John  Page  sen  and  william  green  ' 

for  tiethen  men     Joseph  Lawranc  Jeams   nuttin 

mathias  farnworth  danaiell  Cadey 

Samuell  parker 
for  siruars  of  the  hy  waye  Liftenant  Lacken    Joshua  Whitting  se 

John  farnworth        William  green 
for  fenc  fuer  ephram  Phillbrick         nathannaill  blood 

John  green  William  Lacken  Ju 

march  6  1693  The  orders  which  the  towns  Committy  gaue  to 
the  selectt  men  are  as  followeth 

1  that  the  Select  men  tack  care  that  all  the  town  deats  that 
apear  for  to  be  due  be  paied  both  to  minister  and  town 

2  that  the  selectmen  giue  orders  to  the  siruars  of  hy  waye  that 
the  Kings  hy  waye  be  sophishantly  mended  and  if  any  comeplaint 
be  thorow  the  neglect  of  the  select  men  they  shall  bare  the  blam 
and  the  town  be  aquited 

3  the  shall  tack  speshall  care  that  no  parson  or  parsons  whatso- 
euer  shall  abide  in  this  town  apone  any  pretenc  whatsoeuer  unless 
it  be  such  as  have  paranct  frinds  or  relatione  that  will  Respond 
for  the  towns  sequrity 

4  that  they  tack  care  that  all  swine  be  sophishantly  yocked  and 
Ringed  for  the  preuentione  of  damidg  and  that  all  horses  that  goe 
about  the  Habitable  part  of  the  town  be  fetered  and  all  other 
Cretor  that  be  unrully  be  tacken  car  of  as  the  Law  directs  and 
that  all  fensess  be  Repored  acording  to  Law 

5  that  the  present  charges  shall  be  Leuied  by  the  inuoise  that  the 
selecttmen  mack  the  Rate  by  for  the  Representetiues  shall  be  the 
inuoises  for  to  raise  this  present  charge  by  which  doth  apeare  for  to 
be  due 

6  that  the  select  men  tack  a  inuoise  sum  time  the  mouneth 
agust  for  the  use  of  the  town  or  any  parson  or  parson  for  to  seithe 
on  they  shall  be  aquited  at  any  asessment  Layed  on  them 

7  and  that  the  selectmen  shall  raise  all  the  charg  for  this  year 
b}''  Ratable  astate  as  followeth  namely  euery  head  at  one  peney  in 
a  single  Rate  exsept  it  be  such  parsons  thatt  are  nott  ender  couer 
barn  and  such  parsons  to  be  rated  at  the  discrestion  of  the  selectt- 
men and  all  other  estats  to  be  rated  as  followeth  one  hors  at  forty 
shillins  and  one  ox  at  forty  shillins  and  a  cow  at   thirty  shillins 


GROTON,    MASSACHUSETTS.  109 

sheep  and  swin  at  fore  pounds  pur  score  and  all  impruffed  Land  at 
ten  shillins  pur  acor  exsept  pastors  at  fiue  shillins  pur  acor 

8  and  whatsoeuer  els  doth  apear  for  to  be  of  a  prudenshall  nator 
the  select  men  are  Required  for  to  tack  care  of 

Jams  Knap  his  /  marck 

William  green      his  -|-  marck 
John  Page  Seyer 

March  the  23  1693  at  a  meetin  of  the  select  men  Samuel! 
Woods  sener  was  chosen  sealler  of  waits  and  mesurs 

Groton  Aprill  12  1693  Know  all  peple  by  thes  presenc  that 
Nathanaeill  Lawranc  senor  hath  Reseiued  full  satisfactione  by  the 
select  men  and  Constables  for  sarueing  the  town  as  a  Representiue 
at  the  two  first  sestione 

I  saye  reseiued  by  me  Nathannil  laurance 

Groton  April  12  1693  Know  all  peple  by  thes  presenc  that  John 
Page  senor  doth  fully  and  and  Clearely  acquite  the  town  select 
men  and  constables  for  sarfing  the  town  as  a  representetiue  at  the 
first  held  at  boston  in  ye  year  1692 

as  witness  my  hand  JoH  Page  seneyer 

Payed  to  Nathanail  Lawranc  se  aight  pounds  in  mony 

Payed  to  John  Page  se  two  pounds  sixteen  shillins  and  nine 
penc  in  mony 

Groton  May  15  1693  At  a  genaraell  Town  meetin  order  warned 
the  town  did  agree  that  they  would  for  the  present  time  hire  mister 
hobart  house  for  the  minister  if  they  can  haue  it  apone  Rashanall 
tarms  and  that  they  will  parchis  a  piess  of  Land  for  the  ministree 
and  build  a  house  apone  in  conuenant  time  waiting  apone  the 
prouenc  of  god  as  it  maye  direct  and  it  for  to  Remaine  for  the 
ministree  for  euer 

as  attest  William  Longley  Town  Clarck 

maye  15  1693  the  Town  being  met  together  ther  unto  orderlie 
warned  then  the  town  did  by  uote  declare  that  they  would  not  send 
nor  Choose  any  parson  nor  parsons  for  to  Repres'ent  them  at  the 
great  and  genaraill  Corte  or  asembley 

John  page  senor  Jeams  Kemp  John  Stone  and  William  Longley 
se  desent  from  this  uote     John  farnworth  and  Steuen  holden 

The  Town  Resons  is  they  do  not  iudg  themself  layable  nether 
acordind  to  Law  nor  Charter 

as  atest  William  Longley  Town  Clarck 


no  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

groton  august  22   1693     at  a  genaraell  town  metting  orderley 

warned  the  town  did  chouse  Captaine  parker  &  Liftennant  Lackens 

&  liftenant  Prescoctt  and  John  page  &  John  farnworth  to  be  a 

Comemitty  for  to  purcish  a  pease  of  Land  for  y**  minstry  and  ther 

was  fore  plases  propounded  which  y*  town  is  willen    to    purchis 

namely   m'   hobarts  Joshua  wheels   John   Lawranses  and  Jeams 

parkers  or  ether  of  them 

\ 

October  the  2  1693  the  town  did  then  by  uote  chouse  Jeams 
parker  Junor  and  William  Longley  Se  for  to  goe  down  and  see  for 
a  minster  to  preach  the  worde  of  god  to  them  and  the  town  to 
have  the  charg  of  it  & 

as  wittness  William  Longley  town  clarck 

Groton  October  y'  9  1693  at  a  genaraill  town  meeting  legally 
warned  the  maiear  part  of  the  town  did  by  uote  declare  that  they 
would  giue  mister  garsham  hobart  a  call  to  be  ther  settled  minnister 
if  he  will  tack  satisfactione  with  what  the  town  can  doo  for  him  & 
for  his  incoridgment  the  said  town  did  declare  by  the  maier  uote 
that  they  would  giue  to  m'  hobart  Sixty  pound  this  present  year 
one  fouth  part  in  money  the  rest  in  Corn  and  prouishone  at  town 
prise  &  forthty  cord  of  wood  and  the  said  m'  hobart  to  rise  and  faill 
with  the  peple  as  the  prouedanc  of  god  maye  be  toward  the  peple 
and  the  said  town  will  be  at  y'  charge  of  seeking  m^  hobarts  fame- 
lie  up  againe  &  the  town  will  giue  fine  pound  towards  the  reparing 
m'  hobarts  house  one  quarter  part  of  it  to  be  in  money  and  the  rest 
to  be  in  town  paye 

This  Record  was  read  in  the  town  meeting  and  aprased  by  the 
town 

as  atest  William  Longley  town  Clark 

October  30  1693  at  town  meeting  Legally  warned  Capt  Jeams 
Parker  was  chousen  to  Represent  the  town  at  ye  great  and  gena- 
raeell  assembly  held  at  boston  the  eaight  day  of  nouember  insuing 
the  date  here  of 

nouember  the  14  1693  at  a  genaraeill  town  meetting  Legally 
warned  the  town  did  by  the  maier  uoate  declar  that  they  would 
giue  m'  hobart  sixty  pound  a  year  to  be  his  standing  wages  from 
year  to  year  in  maner  as  follows  one  quarter  part  in  money  the 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  Ill 

Rest  in  Corn  and  prouishione  at  town  prise  indian  corn  at  3  shillins 
pur  busheill  rye  at  4  shillins  par  busheill  wheat  at  5  shillins  par 
Busheill  Cow  beef  3  penc  par  pound  ox  buieff  2  peney  half  peney  par 
pound  porck  at  3  penc  par  pound  this  to  be  his  annewell  salerey  at 
forty  cord  of  wood  to  be  paid  by  the  Last  daye  of  Jenuary  insuing 
&  the  sixty  pound  to  be  paied  at  tow  terms  one  half  by  the  first  of 
march  next  insuing  the  date  hereofe  and  the  last  paiment  by  the 
by  the  first  daye  of  desember 

nouember  14  1693  at  a  genaell  town  meetting  Lagally  warned 
the  town  did  agree  and  by  the  maier  uote  declare  that  they  would 
giue  to  m"^  garsham  hobart  seuenty  pound  in  spesha  as  folow  sixty 
pounds  for  his  annuel]  salerey  one  quarter  part  to  be  paied  in  money 
the  Rest  in  corn  and  prouishone  at  town  prise  to  be  paied  a  tow 
farms  and  one  half  by  the  first  of  march  insuing  the  date  herof 
and  the  Last  payement  to  be  by  the  first  daye  of  Desember  and  the 
town  to  rise  as  the  prouedanc  of  god  maye  be  towards  the  peple 
prouided  that  m'  hobart  will  continieu  to  be  our  setled  minister 
we  the  said  town  will  not  faill  of  thes  propersishones 

the  other  ten  pound  to  be  in  town  paye  in  the  the  rum  of  y*  forty 
Cord  of  wood 

this  Record  was  aprased  by  the  the  town 

as  wittness  William  Longley  Town  Clarck 

Desember  i  1693  at  a  town  meeting  order  warned  the  town  did 
agree  with  John  page  se  to  fech  up  a  lood  goods  frofti  miter  hobarts 
for  tweenty  shillins  in  town  paye 

also  they  did  agree  with  Samuell  Scriptor  se  and  John  green  for 
rashonall  satisfactione 

William  Longley  John  page  Ju  Zachariah  Parker  elias  baran 
Samuell  Scriptor  a  thomas  tarball  for  to  go  w'  horses  to  fech  us 
up  his  fameley  for  fiue  shillins  apice 

as  witness  William  Longley  town  Clarck 

sum  totle  5  =  11  = 

Jenuary  i  169^  the  town  this  daye  did  ingage  to  sequer  the 
seleck  men  from  any  harm  or  dameidg  that  they  shall  meett  with 
all  in  Respect  of  Decon  nathanaell  Lawranc  in  that  he  doth  de- 
mand thirty  6  shillins  in  money  for  to  be  his  dew  for  sarfing  the 
said  town  as  a  representiue  and  the  town  doo  Refuse  to  paye  the 
said  money  the  seleck  men  being  estemed  as  the  rest  of  the  inhabi- 


112  EARLY   RECORDS    OF 

tanc  in  the  mater  also  the  town  did  by  the  maier  uote  chouse  Lif- 
tenant  Jonah  Prescot  &  Jeams  parker  Ju  for  to  answer  in  the  case 
if  the  said  Lawranc  should  truble  y*  seleck  men  or  town  and  they 
did  exsept  of  the  choiss  and  they  are  to  haue  their  paye  for  their 
pains  when  the  said  town  is  able  to  paye  them 

as  wittness  William  Longley  town  dark 

John  page  se  desents  from  the  aboue  mentioned  propersistione 

March  5  1694    Those  parsons  that  were  chosen  for  town  ofiser 

Samuell  parker  and  daneill  Cadey  Constables 

for  selectmen         Captain  Parker  Obadiah  Sawtle 

John  farnworth  Cornelaus  Church 

Liftenant  prescott 
[///  the  record  book,  these  names  are  crossed  out.  ~\ 
for  ueyer  of  ye  hye  ways  Jeams  Parker  Jr     Sephen  holden 
for  hawards  Elezir  parker  &  Thomos  Woods  &  for  fence  uewers 
for  tighing  men   Liftenant  Lackens  Jonathan  Lawranc 

John  Page  se  John  Stone 

Samuell  Woods 
William  Longley  Town  Clarck 

Captain  parker  Simon  Stone 

Liftenant  lakin  Zachariah  parker 

John  farnworth  Nathanaeill  Lawranc 

William  Longley 

\_These  names  are  probably  intended  for  those  of  the  selectmen  which 
are  crossed  out.] 

a  Commeetee  to  giue  the  select  men  instractions  for  this  yeare  is 
John  Page  se  Jeams  Parker  &  Sargant  Knape 

the  same  three  men  were  to  tack  notes  of  y'  pise  of  Land  which 
Samuell  Woods  desired  of  the  town  and  their  report  of  the  mater 
the  town  will  tack  satisfactione  withall  the  same  men  are  the  com- 
mity  to  exsamin  Liftenant  prescots  Recor 

March  26  1694  The  town  did  by  the  maier  uote  determine  that 
the  Choise  of  town  ofiseser  which  was  in  March  the  5  1694  should 
be  the  ofiser  for  this  year  both  selectmen  &  Constable  tighing  men 
&  all  other  town  ofiser  which  was  chosen  that  daye 

Jeams  parker  Comistioner 
as  wittness  William  Longley  town  Clark 


V  y  ^  ^ 


>1* 


^ 
.^ 


^ 


GROTON,    MASSACHUSETTS.  II3 

Groton  June  6  1694  A  Comitey  chousen  for  to  meett  with  y° 
Indians  to  renew  the  bounds  between  Nashobah  and  the  town 
22  instand  at  8  Clock  in  y*  morning  is  Captan  Parker  Simon  Stone 
and  William  Longley 

June  the  25  1694  at  a  town  meetting  Legally  warned  the  town 
did  chouse  for  a  comity  to  condser  and  wade  in  the  mater  depending 
between  nosobah  and  the  town  and  they  be  John  page  senor  John 
farnworth  and  Lif tenant  Jonase  prescott  and  they  are  to  act  in  y* 
case  untill  they  haue  brought  it  unto  a  finall  issew  and  they  are  to 
haue  Rashanall  Satisfactione  for  their  paines 

as  atest  William  Longley  town  Clarck 

and  thes  men  are  chosen  to  act  in  y'  behalf  of  the  town  and  as  they 
do  the  town  will  be  satisfied  withall 

July  19  1694  at  a  town  meetting  Lacally  warned  the  town  did 
choose  for  afesors  Liftenan  Jonas  Prescott  John  Page  se  and 
Jeams  Parker  Junor 

The  entry  given  above  was  made  by  William  Longley,  only 
eight  days  before  he  was  killed  by  the  Indians.  The  following 
one  is  in  James  Parker's  handwriting. 

at  a  town  meting  oupon  the  therd  day  of  October  1694  it  wase 
then  agreed  that  the  fort  aboue  M'  Hobrds  House  shold  be  fin- 
eshed  by  the  town  eurey  man  payeng  on  das  worke  or  to  shil- 
engse  in  pay  for  the  daise  work  tourds  the  work  the  Rest  of  the 
Charg  of  it  to  be  taxed  by  a  Rat  leued  oupon  eche  manse  estat  pro- 
porsonabely  acordeng  an  inuoic  wich  shale  be  taken  for  that  end  as 
allso  to  pay  aney  or  all  other  town  charg  that  dose  apeare  to  be 
legely  and  justly  dou  to  aney  of  the  inhabitents  of  these  town 

dacember  the  24  1694  at  a  genaral  town  meting  being  lagaley 
warned  the  town  did  then  by  uoat  daclare  that  thay  would  Rais 
thare  town  Rats  for  this  prasant  yer  both  for  minister  and  town  fine 
shilins  sartain  upon  euery  head  Ratabl  acording  to  law  and  the 
Rast  of  the  sam  to  be  Raised  upon  Ratabl  astat  lands  and  cattell 
and  improvement 

the  same  day  the  town  did  chuse  capt  parkar  and  left  prescott  to 
go  to  the  genarel  cort  to  prapar  &  manidg  a  patishan  Rafaring  to 
the  4  pound  doom  which  is  sant  for  and  to  get  som  other  incoridg- 


114  EARLY  RECORDS    OF 

ment  for  the  town  to  stay  in  the  town  and  the  patision  is  laft  with 
the  salacktmen  to  draw  up  for  the  good  of  the  town  and  the  sam 
cap  parkr  &  left  prescott  is  to  haue  Rasonabl  satisfacktion  for  the 
same  this  was  don  by  the  major  part  of  the  town  then  mat  decem 
24:  94 

Fab  18"*  1695  the  town  this  day  by  uoat  did  daclare  that  the 
patishon  that  was  drawn  up  and  rad  in  the  town  meting  should  be 
prafared  to  the  genarooll  cort  and  manidged  by  Jonas  Prescott 
with  as  much  prudanc  as  may  be 

as  at  St  Nathanill  lawranc 

in  the  nam  of  ye  salackt 

The  records  of  the  last  two  meetings,  including  the  signature 
of  Lawrence,  were  written  by  Jonas  Prescott. 

March  :  4  :  1695  :     Choise  for  town  oficer  for  the  yeare  inceuing 
for  constable       Samuell  Scripture  Joseph  Cadey 

for  select  men    John  farnworth  John  Stone 

Samuell  parker  Daniell  Cadey 

Thomas  Tarble 
Town  dark  :  James  Blanchard 
for  suruaiers  of  the  high  waye     Samuell  woods     Simon  Stone 

Samuell  warner 
ouerseeers  of  the  swine 

John  huchin  Beniamen  farnwo[rth] 

John  Shatducke  Nathaniell  Bloode 

Thomas  wiliames  william  Lakene 

James  Blanchard,  the  twelfth  town  clerk,  was  the  son  of 
John  and  Hannah  Blanchard,  of  Charlestown  and  Dunstable. 
He  was  chosen  to  the  office  in  the  spring  of  1695,  and  con- 
tinued to  hold  it  —  with  the  exception  of  the  year  1696  — 
until  his  death,  which  took  place  in  February,  1703-04.  His 
widow,  Anna  Blanchard,  petitioned  the  Governor  and  Council, 
March  8,  1703-04,  to  be  relieved  from  the  charges  of  the 
funeral.  This  petition  begins,  "  That  whereas  y'"  petition" 
Husband  is  Lately  deced  occasioned  by  y*  hardships  and 
difficulties  he  underwent  in  y®  Late  Expedition  under  Cap' 
Tyng,  &  being  taken  sick,  and  dying  att  Charlestown,  thereby 
occasioning  a  considerable   charge  to  Arise."      Among  the 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  II 5 

items  of  expenses  rendered  were  :  A  winding  sheet,  i8  shil- 
lings ;  coffin,  10';  grave  digging  7*  6*^ ;  bellman,  i* ;  pall,  5*; 
gloves,  £1  I*;  wines,  sugar,  and  spice,  £1  5^  9^  The  petition 
and  account  are  found  in  the  Massachusetts  Archives  (lxxi.  i.) 
at  the  State  House.  In  making  his  records,  Mr.  Blanchard 
was  wont  to  utilize  as  far  as  possible  the  places  left  blank  on 
the  leaves,  and  sometimes  the  record  of  one  meeting  is  found 
on  five  or  six  different  pages  ;  and  each  entry  is  generally- 
signed  with  his  name. 

grorton  december  10  1695  at  a  town  meting  legeley  warned 
the  town  did  then  uote  that  Mr  hubarts  rate  for  this  year  should  be 
raised  seuen  shilings  apon  the  haed  and  the  reast  to  be  raised 
apon  rateable  estat  acording  to  law 

James  Blanchard  town  darke 

march  3*^  1696     Chosed  for  town  oficers  the  year  incewing  for 

for  constables     thomas  woods  and  John  Green 

for  selectmen      cap  parker  Samuell  Warner 

Capt  prescott  Stephen  holding 

Leu*  Laken 
for  town  dark     capt  prescott 

for  suruayiers  of  the  high  ways    capt  prescott      James  Nuting 
fence  ueers         Joseph  cade  Nathanell  larrance 

swinerd  Eleazer  Green  Joseph  Laken 

Jonas  Prescott,  the  tenth  town  clerk,  was  chosen  again  to 
the  office  in  the  year  1696. 

[Gro]ton  dacamber  y^  10  1696  at  a  genaral  town  meting  lagaly 
war[ned]  the  town  did  by  uoat  daclare  by  mair  .  .  .  that  yay 
would  pay  7  shilins  a  pees  upon  ye  heed  and  ye  rast  of  ye  salerey 
to  be  paid  upon  Ratabl  astat  acording  to  law  and  ye  inuoys  yt  was 
taken  in  augast  1696  to  mak  ye  ministers  Rate  by 

atast  Jonas  Prescott  town  dark 

the  acount  of  ye  salackt  men  in  ye  yere  1696 
one  Rat  mad  for  ye  contrey  ye  28  of  march   96   being  ye  Just 
som  of  7  =  14  =  8 


Il6  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

a  2  Rate  mad  for  ye  minister  being  ye  som  of  60  *  o  =  o 

be  sids  wood  40  cord  &  to  John  nutin  for  being  a  saxton    1=3  =  9 
and  2  half  Rats  more  mad  by  ye  salackt  men  for  his 

being  ye  som  of  20  =  o  =  o 

mad  in  August  28  1696 
all  ye  Rats  mad  this  yer  for  town  &  contry  be  sids  mr 

hubrds  wood  10  =  o  =  o 

as  atast  Jonas  Prescott  town  dark 

for  constabls  this  yere  for  ye  yere  97 

sarg  elazar  parker  constabl  John  huchins  consta 

salackt  men  for  ye  yere  97   James  blanchard         Samuell  Parker 

enns  John  farnworth  Simon  Ston 

thomas  tarball 
for  town  dark  for  ye  yere  1697  James  blanchard 

Capte  Parker  town  tresuer  for  this  yeare 

Nathiell  Larranc      Graniury  for  this  year 
Stephen  holden        Saruaier  thomas  Williams  also 

fenc  uewer  John  Green  enoch  larranc 

feeld  driuers  daniell  perce  abrahame  laken 

for  tiding  men  Samuell  woods  sener  deacn  Whetny 

enoch  larrance  John  Stone 

James  Blanchard,  the  twelfth  town  clerk,  after  being  out  of 
office  for  one  year,  was  chosen  again  to  the  same  position  in 
the  year  1697,  and  held  it  until  the  time  of  his  death, 

at  a  town  meting  leglely  warned  .  .  .  1697  the  town  did  uote  and 
agree  that  thay  would  rais  Mr  hubarts  rate  this  year  seuen  shilling 
upon  the  heade  and  the  rest  upon  the  estate 

James  Blanchard  to7vn  Clark 

Grouton  October  4,  1697  the  town  did  uote  and  agree  that  thay 
would  petition  the  Genrell  Corte  for  help  and  relefe  and  easement 
of  our  rates  James  Blanchard  Clark 

at  a  town  meating  captin  parker  and  insigne  farnworth  shoud 
goe  and  mannige  the  petition  at  the  gennell  corte 

at  a  town  meting  legelely  warned  in  march  i  :  1698 
for  constable     thomas  williams     and  Ben  farnworth 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  1 17 

for  select  men     Cap'  parker  James  Nuting 

Cap'  prescote  John  Stone 

insign  farnworth 
for  grand  iurey     Sarg  warner  James  Blanchard  Clark 

for  fenc  uewer  thomas  woode         epraham  Perce 

surueirer  of  the  high  ways     Eliazer  Parker        John  huchin 
for  to  take  inuarce  thomas  tarble 

for  hoge  constable  obadiah  sawtell   and  Samuell  Woods 

december  21  at  a  town  meting  legely  warned  the  town  did  then 
uote  and  declare  that  y*  will  chuse  to  men  for  to  be  the  towns  agents 
for  to  maniadge  the  case  a  bought  the  brigde  and  for  to  imply  a  law- 
yer in  the  behalfe  of  the  town  and  that  y^  will  raise  money  for  to 
bare  the  charge  of  said  men  James  Blanchard  town  dark 

at  a  town  meting  legely  warning  december:  21  1698.  capSn 
Prascott  was  chosen  for  to  go  to  chelmsford  to  meett  with  the 
commety  and  insign  farnworth  was  chosen  for  to  go  with  him  to 
chamesford  James  Blanchard  town  Clarke 

december:  21  1698  at  a  town  meting  legelly  warned  the  town 
did  uote  and  chuse  capt  prescott  and  insign  farnworth  to  go  to 
Chelmsford  to  mete  with  the  commete  and  to  act  in  the  towns  be 
halfe  acording  to  there  best  discrestion  refering  to  billarca  bridg 

James  Blanchard  town  Clark 

December  21  :  1698  :  at  a  town  metinge  legelly  warn  the  town 
did  chuse  capt  prescott  and  Insign  farnworth  to  be  the  to  men  for 
to  acte  in  the  towns  be  halfe  for  to  do  the  work  Spock  of  in  the 
other  uot  James  Blanchard  town  Cla\rk'\ 

at  a  town  meting  legelly  warned  the  town  did :  uot  that  thay 
would  rais  a  rate  of  twelue  pound  six  pound  in  money  and  six 
pound  in  contrey  paye  for  the  paying  of  towns  depts 

James  Blanchard  town  Clark 

\JDate  uncertain^  at  a  town  meting  legly  warned  the  inhabitenc 
did  vote  that  thay  would  raise  the  ministers  Rate  this  year  seuen 
shilling  upon  the  heade  and  the  reast  upon  the  Estate  1698 

James  Blanchard  Clarke 

Sargt  Larrnce  and  Eliazer  Parker  are  chosen  for  to  take  the 
towns  inuoyce  for  to  make  mr  hubard  rate  this  yeare  insuing 

Groton  march ::  30  1699     at  a  town  metin  leagelly  warned  the 


Il8  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

inhabitence :  did  meate  and  for  constabs  chosen  Samuell  Warner 
and  John  Stone 

and  for  town  Clark :  James  Blanchard 

and  for  selectt  men  Capt  Prescott  and  capt  Parker  and  thomas 
tarble  James  blanchard  &  Samuell  Parker 

for  suruarers  of  the  high  ways :  for  this  yeare  Enoch  Larrance 
and  James  blanchard 

Simon  Ston  for  suruaire 

for  fence  men    Joseph  laken     and  Joseph  Cade : 

for  tiding  men :  Joseph  Larrance  Samuell  Parker  insign  farm- 
worth     Samuell  Woods  Sener : 

for  to  inform  the  suruair  of  the  high  ways  where  the  high  ways 
is  Left  Laken  Samuell  Woods  and  Samuell  Scripter  are  the 
men : 

at  a  town  meting  legelly  warned  May  9*  1699:  Capt:  Prescot 
was  chosen  for  to  atende  the  genrell  Cort :  for  to  sarue  as  a  repre- 
sintiue  James  Blanchard  Clark 

grouton  augest  22  at  a  town  meating  legelly  warned  capten 
prescot  was  chousen  commisener  for  this  yeare  and  James  Blanch- 
ard was  choesen  to  tak  the  inuoyce 

august  22  1699  at  the  same  meting  the  town  did  uote  that  thay 
would  Raise  a  town  Rate  of  six  pounds  in  mony  for  defraying  of 
town  charges :  at  the  same  meeting  the  town  did  uote  that  thay 
would  rais  the  town  rate  by  the  cuntry  inuoyce 

At  a  town  meting  leagely  warned  august  122:  the  town  did 
uote :  that  thay  would  build  a  cart  bridge  ouer  Lancster  Riuer  at 
groton 

at  the  same  meting  the  town  did  uote  and  declare  thet  Capt 
parker  and  Captt  prescotte  and  insigne  farnworth  should  be  a 
commety  to  uew  the  place  whe  the  bridge  should  stand  and  to  agree 
with  men  for  to  under  take  and  bulde  saide  bridge  August  22  1699 : 

Groton  decmber  :  4  1699  at  a  town  meeting  leagell  warned  the 
town  did  uote  that  thay  would  rais  the  minister's  rate  for  this  year 
seven  shilling  upon  the  :  head  :  and  the  reast :  upon  thee  estae  tell 
the  sum  be  made  up  as  atest         James  Blanchard  Clark 

december  4:  1699  the  town  :  did  uote:  and  declare:  thay  would 
giue :  mr  hubart  for  this  year  three  score  pound  as  thay  did  y^  last 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  HQ 

yeare  one  quarter  part  in  mony  and  the  Rast  in  town  pay  and  forty 
corde  of  woode 

At  a  town  meting  leagelly  warned  the  town  did  vote  upon  furder 
consideration  that  thay  give  Mr  huburt  fiue  pound  more  for  the 
year  insuing  then  he  had  the  last  year 

March  7  1700     at  a  town  meting  legelly  warned  chosen  for  gran- 

iury  for  this  year     daniell  Cade  Sener     for  Constables  for  this  year 

chosen     daniell  perce  and  Abraham  :  laken 

for  town  this  year  chosen  :  town  Clark  James  Blanchard 

chosen  for  Select  men  this  year  1700   thomas  tarble     Eliazer 

parker    Samuell  parker     thomas  Willimes     James  blanchard 
for  suruaier  this  chosen  epraham  and  Joseph  Laken 
fence  ueers  :  Steuen  holding  and  Josep  paraham 
for  hoge  constable  and  John  perham  and  John   Shatduck  and 

Jonathan  Keemp 

for  tiding  men  :  this  year     Joseph  larran    Samuell  Woods  sener: 

James  Nuting  and  Samuell  Warner: 

Groton  nouember  12  1700  at  a  town  meting  legelly  warned  the 
town  did  :  uote  y'  y*  would  rais  M'  huburt  rate  for  this  year  seuen 
shilling  upon  the  head  and  the  rast  upon  the  Estat  rateabl 

James  :  Blanchard  Clark 

at  the  same  metting  the  town  did  uot  and  declare  that  thay 
would  giue  mr  hubart  our  minister  sixty  seuen  pound  ten  shilling 
one  querter  part  mony  and  the  other  three  quarter  in  corn  and  pro- 
vesion  and  forty  cord  of  woode  for  the  yere  insuing  1701 

James  Blanchard  Clarke 

at  the  same  meting  the  town  did  uot  y*  ya  would  rais  the  town 
charg  according  to  to  the  cuntry  rate     James  Blanchard  Clark 

at  the  same  meting  the  town  did  uote  that  the  meting  hous 
should  be  mended  and  that  the  select  men  would  agree  w'  one  fore 
to  do  the  work  James  Blanchard  Clark 

deacon  wwhitny  Insig  farnworth  :  liften  larrance  thomas  tarbell 
danniell  Cade  chosen  for  to  seat  the  meting  hous 

nouember  12  :  the  town  did  uote  and  that  Eliazer  parker  was 
chosen  for  to  act  in  the  towns  behalfe  and  sue  any  that  cut  or  cary 
any  timber  of  the  towns  common  or  to  agree  w'  any  that  shall 
trancgres  in  that  nater  James  Blanchard  Clerk 


120  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

at  the  sam  meting  the  town  did  uot  that  thommas  tarbell  daniell 
Cade  James  Blanchard  ware  chosen  for  to  sell  the  highg  way  that 
runs  to  broad  madow  throw  his  land    James  Blanchard  Clarke 

at  the  same  meting  nouember  12  the  town  did  uot  that  mr  huburt 
should  haue  his  pay  one  halfe  by  the  last  of  March  and  the  other 
halfe  by  the  tenth  of  nouember  next  insuing  and  the  forty  cord  of 
wood  by  the  last  of  Janeury  James  Blanchard  Clarke 

aggust :  13  :  1701  At.  a  town  :  metting  legely  warned  the  town 
did  chus  Joseph  laken  to  take  :  the  Inuoyce 

James  Blanchard  Clark 

Groton  September  =  6  =  1701  Sworn  by  the  Select  men  ben  farn- 
worth  sworn  to  the  offis  of  Suruaiere 

December  lo""  1701  At  a  town  meting  legelly  warned  the  town 
did  uote  and  declare  that  thay  would  giue  mr  hubart  our  minister 
for  the  year  1702  :  Sixty  seuen  pound  tenn  shilling  one  querter 
money  and  the  other  three  querters  corn  and  prouision  at  town 
price  and  fortye  cord  of  wood  James  Blanchard  Clarke 

at  the  town  meting  at  the  same  time  the  town  did  uote  that  thay 
rais  the  ministers  rate  this  year  seuen  shillings  upon  the  head  and 
the  rest  upon  the  estate  James  Blanchard  Clark 

December  10"'  1701  at  a  town  meting  legally  warned  the  town 
meting  legelly  warned  the  the  did  uot  that  thay  would  giue  m' 
hubart  his  wood  as  formerly  James  Blanchard  Clark 

December  10  :  the  town  did  uot  that  thay  would  rais  fine  pound 
In  mony  for  defraying  of  town  charge  James  Blanchard  Clarke 

the  town  did  uot  that  the  commety  shall  not  lay  any  land  to  any 
pertickeler  parson  at  Nashobah  end  of  the  town 

James  Blanchard  Clarke 

The  ouer  plush  of  the  Rate  last  made  and  now  in  the  hands  of 
Capt  Prescote  is  ninetene  shillings  whic  to  be  returned  to  the  town 
trsuore  James  Blanchard  Clarke 

\_Date  uncertain^  At  a  town  meting  legelly  warnede  decem- 
ber  29  the  town  uot  and  agree  that  thay  wold  agree  with  Indianes 
upon  reasnable  tearemes  and  the  town  did  uot  and  chus  Cap' 
prescot  Insign  farnworth  thomas  tarbel  and  dannel  Cady  and 
James  Blanchard 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  121 

\_Date  uncertain^  at  a  town  meting  leagelly  warned  the  town 
did  chus  James  Blanchard 

at  tlie  same  meting  Capt  Preascote  was  chosen  for  to  acte  in  the 
town  behalfe  to  manadg  a  petition  for  the  the  town  in  referring  to 
bilracaci  bridge  and  to  get  away  to  concorde 

James  blanchard  Clark 

at  the  same  meting  the  town  did  note  that  any  man  in  the  town 
should  haue  liberty  to  brake  up  any  out  land  in  the  town  and  to 
improue  it  seuen  yeare  and  then  layd  down  againe  .  .  .  stuable 
againe:  James  blanch  [ard]   Clarke 

an  acounte  of  three  town  rats  raised  for  the  defraing  of  town 
charges  the  sum  of  the  rats  apoue  mentioned  thirty  thre  pounds 
seuen  shillings  and  paid  out  of  said  rate  by  the  town  tresuer  to 
seuerell  parson  to  whome  :  it  was  dew 

In  :  mony  i6  =  i6  =  ii 

and  In  payd  out  of  the  same  rats  13  =  15  =  lo 

Beii  farnworth  debter  00  =  02  =  06 

Abrahm  laken  debter  Hafe  mony  02  =  04  =  eg 

daniell  perce  debter  In  pay  00  =  06  =  .  . 

recued  febuory  6*  170^ 

at  the  same  meting  the  select  men  did  alow  the  tresuer 

eightten  shillings  00  18 

Received  of  Abraham  Laken  constable  16  16     11 

too   pound   fouer   shillings    and    ninepence  00  18 

halfe  mony  and  the  other  halfe  pay  01  02       4 

James  Blanchard  that  being  the  full  00  01       3 

of  what  was  behind  of  his  rate  01  00     10 


2       4 

[  There  are  some  other  figures  in  the  margin  of  the  record  book,  but 

they  do  not  appear  to  have  any  connection  with  the  text ;  in  fact,  it 

might  be  difiicult  to  discover  any  between  those  that  are  given  and  the 

text.'\ 

At  a  town  meting  legelly  warned  march  9"^  1702  the  town  did 
uote  and  Chuse  for  Constables  Joseph  Laken  and  Epraham  Phil- 
brook  and  for  town  Clark  for  the  yeare  Insuing  James  Blanchard 
and  for  Selectmen  decon  Whitney  Liueten  Larrance  Samuell  Parker 
for  Survarer  of  the  high  way 


122  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

Chosen  for  gran  Jury  for  the  yerar  Insu  Benjmen  farnworth 

for  select  men  chusen  deacon  Whitney  liutene  Larranc  Samuell 
Packer 

Chosen  for  suruaiers  of  the  highway  thomas  tarbell  nath  wood 
John  Chaduck  John  Perhame  for  tiding  men  for  the  year  1702 
Simon  Ston  thomas  Williams  James  nuting  John  huchin  for 
fence  newer  Joseph  Cade  thomas  woods  for  hog  constable  William 
Whitney  Nathaniell  Woods  James  Blanchard  Clarke 

\_In  the  original  record  the  Italicised  words  are  crossed  out  by  a  line 
drawn  through  themJ] 

at  a  town  meting  legelly  warned  March  23  1702  chosen  for 
select  men  for  the  year  Insuing  liften  larrance  Capt  Prescott  Sam- 
uell Parker  thomas  tarbell  benimen  farnworth 

James  Blanchard  town  clarke 

for  hog  constable  Samuell  Shatduck  and  William  Shatduck 

at  a  town  meting  legelly  warned  the  town  did  uot  that  thay  would 
rais  a  town  rate  of  six  pound  ten  shillings  and  four  pence  for  the 
paying  of  captin  Prescott  John  nuting  Joseph  Parker  william  laken 
for  runing  the  line  and  Insign  farnworth  whi  and  James  blanchard 

James  Blanchard  Clarke 

at  a  town  meting  legelly  warned  the  town  did  chuse  Insign 
farnworth  lifte  larance  and  thomas  Williams  for  a  commity  for  to 
lay  out  land  to  thos  to  whome  it  is  wanting  thay  makeing  it  so  to 
apere  James  Blanchard  Clarke 

groton  :  Jun  :  eight'  1702  at  a  town  meting  legelly  warned  the 
town :  did  by  uote  declare  that  thay  would  haue  an  artis  :  to  lay  out 
our  madow  at  nashobah  line  and  the  land  that  the  town  :  did  grant 
to  water  power  [Walter  Powers  ?]  and  danell  powers 

James  Blanchard  Clark 

and  at  the  same  meting  the  town  did  chuse  Capt  Prescott  to 
agree  with  an  artise  to  Do  the  aboue  sd  worke  and  the  artis  not  to 
exceede  six  shillings  per  day  James  Blanchard  Clark 

at  the  same  meting  the  town  did  uot  that  the  artis  shall  begin  at 
the  lower  end  of  beuere  brook  runing  up  the  brook  tell  he  cums 
to  reedy  [mea]dow  and  then  runing  up  redy  mady  tell  that  is  .  .  . 
and  then  runing  up  beauer  brook  tell  that  .  .  .  and  than  Into  long 
madow 


GROTON,  MASSACHUSETTS.  123 

at  a  town  meting  legelly  warned  Jun  eighte  1702  the  town  did 
uote  that  thay  would  giue  Peleg  larraness  Eairs  three  acers  of 
madow  whare  thay  ust  to  Improue  and  tenn  acers  of  upland  neare 
that  madow  upon  the  Conditions  following  that  the  aboue  sd  Peleg 
larrances  heirs  do  deliuer  up  that  Indian  titelle  which  thay  now 
haue  to  the  town  James  Blanchard  Clarke 

at  a  town  leaglly  warned  Jun  :  eight  1702  the  town:  did  uot  that 
thay  would  giue  to  robart  robins  Sener  three  acers  of  madow  where 
he  uste  to  Improue :  and  ten  acers  of  upland  near  his  madow  upon 
the  Conditions  forlowing  that  he  aboue  sd  Robart  Robbins  doth 
deliuer  :  up  that  Indian  titels  which  he  now  hath :  to  the  town 

James  Blanchard  town  Clarke 

Groton  december  :  11  :  1702  at  a  town  meteing  legally  warndid 
the  town  did  uote  :  that  y*  would  giue  Mr  hubart  our  minister  for 
the  year  1703  Seuenty  pound  one  quarter  part  in  mony  and  the 
other  three  quarters  In  prouition  :  and  ten  pound  In  wood  at  feiue 
Shilling  per  Cord :  the  wood  to  be  all  payed  In  by  the  last  of  Jneu- 
ary  or  fiue  Shilling  In  pay  In  the  leue  of  one  cord  of  woode 

James  Blanchard  town  Clark 

At  the  same  meting  the  town  did  uot  that  y*  would  rais  Mr  hub- 
berts  rate  for  y'  year  i7o[3]  seuen  shillings  upon  the  head  and  the 
remainder  by  the  Cuntry  Inuoyce  James  Blanchard  Clark 

March:  i"" :  1703  at  a  town  meting  legely  warned  chosen:  for 
constable  :  for  the  year  1703  chosen  for  constable  thomas  Chamber- 
lin  for  the  second  constable  John  Perham  for  the  year  1703  :  for 
town  clack  for  this  year  James  blanchard 

for  select  men  for  the  year  1703  :  Samuell  Parker  James  Nuting 
James  Blanchard  for  tiding  men  Joseph  gilson  Benjmen  farn- 
worth    Samuell  Wood   Zechriah  Satell 

for  Suruaiers  of  the  high  ways  for  the  year  1703  John  lagely 
Joseph  farwell   Joseph  Perham    Eleazer  green 

for  fences  ueiwers     thomas  Williams  and  John  hoar 

James  Blanchard  Clarke 

At  a  town  meting  legielly  warned  April  21"':  the  town  did  uot 
that :  Insign  farnworth  should  be  the  Commisinor.  to  tak  the  Inuoyce  : 
with  the  select  men. 

at  the  same  meting  the  town  :  did  chuse  Eliazer  parker  to  discorce 


124  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

John  Applin  of  Watertown  :  to  see  If  he  will  come  :  up  to  groton 
and  keep  scole  to  tech  children  and  youth  to  reed  and  right  and  to 
know  his  terms  and  bring  his  term  to  the  Select  men  :  who  are  Ira- 
powered  by  the  town  :  to  agree  with  sd  man :  for  one  year  1703 

James  Blanchard  Clark 

May  17  1703  at  a  town  metting  legelly  warned  the  town  did  by 
uot  declare  that  thay  would  pay  deacon  larrance  the  mony  that  the 
deacon  demande  for  saruing  the :  town  as  ane  represintiue  In  the 
year  1693 

the  town  did  note  and  declare  that  thay  would  borrow  the  mony 
of  thomas  Williams  for  four  month  and  pay  for  the  use  of  it  one 
shilling  James  Blanchard  Clark 

for  seating  of  the  meting  house  capt  parker  capt  Prescott 
Insign  farnworth   leuten  laken    Samuell  Woods  Sener 

The  following  items  appear  on  a  loose  leaf,  and  refer  to  two 
children  of  John  and  Hannah  (Aldis)  Farnsworth. 

John  farns  desessed  19  Saptam  1703 
Rachall  farnswor  born  8  desembur  1704 

Groton  December  20 :  1703  At  a  town  meting  legelly  warned 
the  town  did  uote  and  declare  that  thay  giue  Mr  hubart  for  the  first 
half  of  the  year  1703  thirty  too  pound  one  quarter  part  mony  the 
time  begining  the  tenth  of  december  tell  the  tenth  of  June  next  in- 
sewing  James  Blanchard  Clarke 

thomas  williams  decents  from  the  aboue  writen  uote  nathaniell 
woods  obadiah  Satell  decent  from  this  uote 

Eliazer  parker  decents  from  y*  uote 

groton  Janeuary  25  at  a  town  meting  legenly  the  town  did  uote : 
that  thay  would  rais  a  town  rate  for  the  paying  of  capt  prescott  and 
other  town  charge  the  sume  to  be  raised  :  IS      \L£ft  wifinished^ 

This  fragment  is  in  the  handwriting  of  James  Blanchard, 
who  died  a  very  few  days  after  it  was  written. 

Thomas  Tarbell,  the  thirteenth  town  clerk,  was  the  son  of 
Thomas  and  Hannah  Tarbell,  and  was  born  at  Groton,  July  6, 
1667.      He  held  the  office  during  the  years  1704  and  1705. 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  1 25 

His  handwriting  was  fair,  but  his  spelling  execrable.  He  was 
the  father  of  the  three  children  carried  into  captivity  by  the 
Indians,  June  20,  1707.  His  death  took  place  January  24, 
1717. 

grotton  march  8  1704  at  a  legul  town  meteng  the  town  did  yot 
that  thay  wull  met  for  the  futer  to  chus  town  ofesurs  the  fust  tus- 
day  of  march  anuelly  Thomas  tarbell  Clark 

groton  march  y8  1704  Thomas  tarbell  town  dark  Thomas 
Williams  gran  gure  :  Joseph  gelcun  cunstable  Ephrem  pers  cun- 
stable  selectmen  Samuell  parker  Joseph  laken  Thomas  tarbell 
tithen  men  John  Shaduck  Joseph  Larrance  Samuell  Screptur  se 
Nathanell  woods  Sauayars  hy  ways  Jonathan  laken  &  John  daues 
Jonathan  farnsworth  thomas  chamburlen  sworn  fans  yuers  Jona- 
than boyden  william  laken  Samuell  Screptur  iu  Ephrem  felbreck 
sworn 

grotton  march  8  1704  the  town  ded  declar  by  yot  that  thay  do 
imploy  capt  prascot  to  go  down  to  the  genaral  cort  to  Indeuer  to 
g[et]  an  an  abatmant  of  our  cuntary  rats 

Thomas  tarbell  town  darke 

Nouember  21  1704  at  a  town  metting  legaly  warned  the  town 
did  chused  leftan  lawra  and  John  Ston  to  go  to  mr  dark  and  mr 
estarbrucks  for  furthar  aduic  concarn  mr  hobart  and  to  prosed 
from  that  acording  to  thar  disscracun  for  the  good  of  the  town 

THOMAS    TARBELL   clavke 

at  a  town  meting  legully  woorned  the  town  did  chus  Joseph  laken 
and  thomas  tarbell  to  luck  ouer  mr  hoburds  rats  and  to  racun  with 
thos  that  ar  behind  to  clear  the  old  arrars     21  nouember  1704 

THOMAS   TARBELL   dark 

at  a  town  metting  legally  warned  the  town  ded  chus  left  lawranc 
&  thomas  tarbell  to  go  to  the  genarall  cort  to  cary  in  a  petecun  for 
to  Indeuer  for  to  get  an  abatmant  of  our  tax  and  so  what  may  be 
dun  concarning  our  minestur  this  is  to  be  dun  by  the  charg  of 
the  town  this  ig  of  desember  1704 

atast  THOMAS  TARBELL  Clarke 

at  a  town  metting  legally  warned  22  ganawari  1704  5  the  town 
deed  then  uot  that  thay  woold  geue  mr  hobart  for  the  time  past  20 
pounds  on  quartar  part  mony  Thomas  tarbell  Clark 


126  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

at  a  town  metting  legally  warned  the  town  deed  chus  leftten  law- 
ranc  &  thomas  tarbell  to  agree  with  summ  menistur  to  cum  & 
prech  with  us  if  any  can  be  found     22  Janauary  1704  5 

Thomas  tarbell  Clark 

A  at  a  town  meting  legally  wared  march  9  1705  simun  ston  is 
chose  to  sarue  for  the  Insuing  yer  for  the  graniuri 

THOMAS   TARBELL  dark 

the  nams  of  town  oficurs  for  the  yere  1705  thomas  tarbell  dark 
Nathanil  woods  &  elezer  green  sworn  as  cunstables  for  the  yere 
1705  cap  prascot  John  ston  &  thomas  tarbell  as  select  men  for 
the  yere  1705  sworn  sworn  samuell  shad  &  danill  cady  Jonathan 
boyd  baniemen  farnswor  as  suruayers  of  hyway  for  this  yere  1705 
Samuell  Parkar  &  Samuell  Woods  as  fans  }aiars  for  this  yere  as 
fens  yaars  1705  sworn  Obadiah  sawtel  &  John  shattuck  tithenmen 
John  huchins  &  John  Sheply  as  hog  cunstables  for  thes  yere   1705 

THOMAS   TARBELL   dark 

At  a  town  metting  legalli  warned  the  town  did  declar  by  uot  that 
thay  wold  haue  thomas  tarbell  go  to  the  gouernur  &  colinol  ting  for 
to  petescun  relef  for  chamburlens  mell  by  on  or  2  men  And  the 
said  thomas  chamburlen  bars  the  charg  thar  of 

Thomas  tarbell  dark 

At  a  town  meting  legalli  warned  the  town  did  declar  by  uot  &  lat 
all  the  commun  madow  In  our  town  to  William  Whetne  for  sexs 
shellings  moni  the  Insuing  yere  9  of  march  1705 

a  Thomas  tarbell  Clark 

at  a  town  meting  legali  warned  t  9  of  march  1705  the  town  did 
grant  to  thomas  chamburlen  2  accurs  of  land  on  the  sutherdly  sid 
of  the  pond  by  his  hous  mor  or  las  in  two  parts  &  the  said  [Chjam- 
burlen  to  alow  a  hy  way  of  3  [po]ll  wid  from  the  by  way  to  his  own 
mel  In  the  most  conueniant  plas  and  to  mak  and  maintain  a  breg 
at  his  own  cos  ouer  the  buck  .  .  .  mel  pond 

[Thomas]  tarbel  Clark 

Groton  May  y'  8  1705  then  capt  prascot  was  chosen  to  sarue  as 
a  rapresentetife  for  the  yer  Insuing  Thomas  tarbell  Clarck 

the  8  of  May  1705  the  town  did  chus  a  comete  to  take  an 
acompt  of  the  town  charges  that  is  du  to  pur  teckeurlur  men  &  for 
the  select  men  to  Rais  a  rat  upon  pols  &  estals  acording  to  the 
cuntary  euoys  (the  comety  is)  sarg  nathanell  lawranc  Samuell  Parker 
&  Joseph  gilson  Thomas  tarbell  Clarck 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  12/ 

At  a  town  metting  legally  warned  this  r8  of  June  1705  the  town 
did  declar  by  uoite  that  thay  do  desiar  mr  Odle  to  continu  with  us 
for  sum  longer  time  as  we  can  agre  with  him  for 

Thomas  tarbell  Clarck 
Att  a  town  meting  legulli  warned  this  18  of  Jun  1705  :  the  town 
did  chus  left  lawranc  John  Ston  &  Thomas  tarbell  to  disscors  with 
Mr  Odle  :  &  to  agre  with  him  for  sum  farthar  time  : 

Thomas  tarball  Clarke 

groton  iun  the  25  1705  the  selectmen  this  day  haue  apoyntted 
the  hy  way  from  beuer  brooke  madows  along  the  rod  now  improued 
to  the  fordway  at  spactecull  brook  throu  elezer  lawrances  land  whar 
the  way  now  gos  &  is  staked  out  coming  out  behind  the  sd  lawrances 
hous  &  so  contennuing  to  the  towns  common  in  the  most  conueniant 
plasce  for  the  banifit  of  the  in  habitants  |  of  fore  pol  wid  &  if  the 
aboue  sd  elezer  lawranc  deziers  to  haue  this  way  oltured  he  finding 
a  conueniant  way  aboue  his  feld  or  by  his  hous  to  the  sattesfacteun 
of  the  select  men  it  shall  be  alowed 
Jonas  Prescot 
John  ston  select  men  Atast        Thomas  tarbel  dark 

groton  Jun  the  25  1705  the  select  men  haue  this  day  apoynted 
A  hy  way  going  out  out  of  the  hyway  by  that  gos  from  goodman 
Pages  hous  by  brood  madow  begening  ^t  Danel  cades  cornur  throu 
John  Longlys  land  3  pol  wid  to  to  the  madow  &  throu  the  madow 
two  poll  wid  cuming  into  the  hy  way  that  cums  throu  obadiah  satals 
land  John  Longly  geues  this  land  &  madow  thes  way  is  to  be  capt 
with  gats  or  bars  Thomas  tarbell  Clarke 

The  following  entry  appears  to  be  the  rough  draft  of  the 
one  that  comes  immediately  after  it. 

the  town  did  uoat  this  day  that  thay  would  glue  to  Mr  Jon  Odly 
in  ordr  to  satlment  to  be  the  towns  minister  &  the  churches  ofissur 
the  sam  of  60  pound  for  his  sallarey  this  yere  &  one  100  p  to  prouid 
him  salf  a  place  to  satl  on 

At  a  town  meting  legally  warned  the  town  did  declar  by  uote  this 
thurd  day  of  July  1705  that  they  would  giue  to  Mr  John  odly  in 
ordur  to  satlment  to  be  the  towns  minister  &  the  churches  ofissur 
the  sum  of  60  pounds  for  his  sallarey  this  yeere  &  on  100  pounds 
to  prouid  him  salf  a  plase  to  satel  on    Thomas  tarbell  Clarke 


128  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

Joseph  Lakin,  the  fourteenth  town  clerk,  was  the  son  of 
Ensign  John  and  Mary  Lakin,  and  was  born  at  Groton,  April 
14,  1670.  He  held  the  office  during  1706  and  1707,  when  this 
volume  ends,  and  many  subsequent  years.  His  handwriting 
was  intolerably  bad,  and  his  spelling  as  incorrect  as  that  of 
his  predecessor.     He  died  April  i,  1747. 

Groton  march  the  5  =  170^  at  a  towne  meting  legally  warned  to 
chuse  town  officers  as  followeth  to  wit  Joseph  lakin  Towne  Clark 
Jonathan  Page  constabel  and  Jonas  Prascot  lunar  constabel  for  the 
year  insuing  for  selact  men  Joseph  lakin  Samuell  parkar  nathaniel 
Woods  Simin  Ston  Robart  Robin  and  for  saruayars  thomas  cham- 
brlin  Samuell  Shattuck  hazackiah  whitcom  Samuell  Barrand  |  fane 
uewers  thomas  woods  John  Sheple  |  and  John  longly  town  seallar 
of  waits  and  masurs  and  Joseph  lawrance  thomas  tarbel  tithingmen 

Joseph  lakin  Town  Clark 

Groton  march  the  5  =  1705-6  At  a  towne  meting  leagaly  worned 
to  chuse  offisors  for  the  year  insuing  thay  did  by  uote  chuse  John 
huchin  garan  iuery  man  and  for  a  commity  to  lay  out  land  Joseph 
lakin  Samuell  parkar  Robert  Robin  of  this  town 

At  a  town  meting  leagly  warned  in  Aprell  the  9  1706  this  town 
did  by  uot  ass  you  may  see  on  the  othar  side  of  this  Leafe  and  all 
so  did  uot  that  they  would  giue  mr  Bradstret  one  hondred  pounds 
mor  as  money  to  satell  him  selfe  in  this  towne  our  minister  during 
life  Joseph  Lakin  Town  Clark  for  Groton 

The  following  entry  contains  the  paragraph  referred  to,  as 
"  on  the  othar  side  of  this  Leafe." 

Groton  At  a  town  meting  legally  warned  this  Aprell  the  9  1706 
the  town  ded  By  uot  giue  Mr  bradstret  thre  scoar  pounds  thirty 
pounds  in  money  and  thirty  pounds  ass  money  in  priuison  ass 
foloeth  indon  corne  2  shilings  one  bushil  and  ry  3  shilings  one 
bushil  and  Wheat  4  shilings  and  Porke  2  Pance  a  Pound  and  Beef 
ox  beefe  3  hapenc  a  pound  and  i  fard[ing]  a  bound  for  cowbeefe 
for  Peeas  3  shilin  .  .  .  bushil 

Groton  April  this  9  day  1706  at  a  Town  meting  legaly  worned 
the  towne  did  by  uot  chuse  the  selact  men  for  a  comity  to  lay  out 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  1 29 

the  hi  ways  betwen  insin  farnsworth  and  Eben  tarnsworth  and  so 
along  betwen  indin  hill  medow  and  Satwels  Patchis  and  so  the  most 
conuenint  place  in  to  the  contery  rode  four  pooll  wide  and  this 
Rood  on  the  couth  sid  of  half  moon  madow 

Joseph  lakin  dark 
and  at  the  same  meting  thay  did  all  so  chose  Insin  farnsworth 
Simon  Stone  Joseph  lakin   to  discorse  mr  bradstret  ass  the  town 
consarnin  his  satelmant  with  us  this  year 

Joseph  lakin  dark 

Groton  may  the  8  1706  At  a  town  Meting  legaly  woned  thay 
ded  by  uot  declare  thay  would  and  doe  desire  that  Thomas  Cham- 
berill  mill  may  bee  up  helde  by  a  solgar  or  solgars  for  the  good  of 
the  town  by  a  patition  to  the  cort  or  athoratie 

Joseph  lakin  town  dark 
Groton  May  the  aight  day  1706  At  a  town  meting  legally  worned 
for  to  see  consarning  M'  brodstreets  settlement  the  town  ded  by 
uot  declare  that  thay  would  make  a  good  house  of  38  foot  long  and 
18  foot  wide  and  a  lean  tow  of  a  foot  wide  all  the  langht  of  the 
house  and  thay  will  finish  it  comfortably  this  house  to  be  of  14  foot 
beetwen  iants  Joseph  lakin  Clarck 

and  the  same  meting  ded  all  so  by  uot  declare  thay  would  buld 
a  good  letell  barne  for  a  mr  brodsteret 

At  the  same  meting  tay  haue  chose  a  comitie  to  under  take  \Left 
wijinished^ 

Groton  May  the  8  =  1706  At  a  towne  meting  legaly  worned  the 
town  chose  a  commity  to  uew  that  hiway  by  nathanill  woodsis  house 
and  so  alttar  and  turne  that  way  if  thay  see  acauson  the  men 
chosen  are 

Simon  Ston  1 

Samuill  Parkar  1  are  the  comety  chosen  to  turne 

Robart  robin  j  that  hiway  if  thay  see  cause 

Joseph  lakin  J 

attast  Joseph  lakin  town  Clg,rck 

Groton  May  the  aight  1706  At  a  town  meting  legally  worned  to 
chuse  a  repreasantiue  the  fre  hooldars  and  othar  inhabitants  quala- 
fied  acording  to  law  did  by  the  maior  uote  couse  Simin  Stone  for 
this  year  1706  a  represantetiue  Joseph  Lakin  town  dark 


130  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

Groton  May  the  aight  1706  at  the  same  meting  the  towne  did 
by  not  chuse  a  comity  to  lat  out  M'  brodstreets  hous  and  barne  and 
to  by  a  place  for  the  minister  to  build 

the  men  chose  for  the  same 


Thomas  tarbol 
Joseph  lakin 
Danil  Cady 
Samuell  Parkar 
Nathanil  Wods 


a  comity  for  1706 

this  towne 


Joseph  lakin  Clark 


Groton  June  the  20  =  1706  at  a  town  meting  leagely  worned  they 
did  by  uot  make  this  way  that  was  arst  in  Jun  the  25  =  175  now  maid 
uoid 

Groton  June  the  20  day  1706  at  a  town  meting  leagaly  warned 
the  toown  did  declear  by  uot  that  thay  would  cleare  and  pay  with 
and  to  m'  Brodstret  this  halfe  year  Joseph  Lakin  clarck 

Groton  June  the  20  day  1706  At  a  town  meting  legaly  wofned 
the  towne  did  declear  by  uote  that  thay  woud  pay  the  one  halfe  of 
the  parch  of  that  place  which  We  are  about  to  by  of  Captin  Parker 

Joseph  Lakin  Town  Clarcke 

Groton  June  the  20  day  1706  at  a  town  meting  leguly  worned 
thay  did  declar  by  uot  that  Captin  Prascot  shall  haue  what  is  his 
dew  from  the  town  to  him  Joseph  Lakin  Town  clarck 

Groton  June  the  20  1706  at  a  town  meting  legaly  worned  the 
town  did  agre  with  Zachariah  Sawtell  and  Sargant  lawmc  for  12 
thousand  of  marchiantabel  brick  and  3  thousand  of  samman  brick 
the  12  thousand  at  18  shilins  par  thousand  and  the  3  thousand  at 
half  prise 

Groton  June  y"  20  1706  at  a  towne  meting  legaly  warned  this 
towne  did  by  uot  giu  to  Jonathan  Kamp  that  contribuchan  money 
which  m'  Bradstrat  hath  now  in  hand  Joseph  lakin  dark 


Groton  August  the  22  day  1706  at  a  town  meting  leagaly  worned 
to  see  what  way  to  raise  the  ministers  Rate  then  thay  did  declair 
by  thare  uote  that  thay  would  haue  it  fiue  shilins  upon  the  head 
and  the  rast  upon  the  eastats  Joseph  lakin  Town  Clarck 


GROTON,    MASSACHUSETTS.  131 

Groton  January  the  8  day  170^  the  highway  near  Nathanill 
Woosis  hous  whear  he  now  dweleth  is  allowed  and  turned  marked 
&  layd  out  Betwext  Samuill  Parkars  land  and  nathanill  Woodses 

land  away  as  the  marks  direct  first  on  the  north  a  black  oke  ^ 

and  on  the  south  a  white  oke  ^  marked  near  said  Woodses  wall 
and  then  four  poll  wide  as  the  marks  direct  betwixt  said  parkar  and 
said  wood  .  .  .  runing  into  the  highway  to  brown  lof  plain  .  .  . 
commity  and  select  men 

attest  Joseph  lakin  town  dark 


A     LIST 

OF 

THE    TOWN    CLERKS    OF    GROTON, 

From  1662  to  1707; 
with  their  terms  of  service. 


The  years  are  given  according  to  the  new  style  of  reckon- 
ing. The  town  was  attacked  by  the  Indians  in  the  spring  of 
1676,  and  abandoned  by  the  inhabitants  until  March,  1678. 
Jonathan  Morse,  William  Longley,  Jr.,  and  James  Blanchard 
died  while  holding  office,  —  Longley  being  killed  by  the  In- 
dians July  27,  1694.  Joseph  Lakin,  the  last  one  named  in 
this  list,  continued  to  serve  as  town  clerk  during  many  years 
after  1707. 

Richard  Sawtell 1662-1664. 

James  Fisk 1665. 

William  Longley 1666,  1667. 

John  Page 1668. 

Richard  Blood 1669, 

John  Morse 1 670-1676. 

James  Parker 1678,  1679. 

John  Morse 1680,  i68i. 

Jonathan  Morse 1682-1686. 

JosiAH  Parker 1686-1691. 

Jonas  Prescott 1692. 

William  Longley,  Jr 1693,  1694. 

James  Blanchard i^95' 

Jonas  Prescott 1696. 

James  Blanchard 1697-1704. 

Thomas  Tarbell 1704,  1705. 

Joseph  Lakin 1706, 1707. 


EARLY  LAND-GRANTS 

OF 

GROTON,      MASSACHUSETTS. 

'THHE  Colonial  governments  of  Massachusetts  and  Plym- 
-*■  outh,  as  well  as  the  Provincial  government  of  Massachu- 
setts, granted  from  time  to  time  to  certain  persons  tracts  of 
land  suitable  for  townships.  These  persons,  called  proprietors, 
frequently  had  an  equal  number  of  shares,  but  sometimes  one 
proprietor  would  have  more  than  another,  and  they  called  their 
shares  by  such  names  and  styles  as  they  pleased.  In  Groton, 
these  were  called  "  acre-rights  ;  "  but  sometimes,  as  in  Bridge- 
water,  they  were  called  "  purchase-rights,"  and  at  other  times, 
as  in  Nantucket,  "  cow-commons,"  or  "  sheep-commons." 
These  proprietors  organized  as  a  corporation,  chose  a  mod- 
erator, clerk,  and  all  needful  committees,  at  their  meetings, 
and,  pursuant  to  the  vote  of  the  majority,  allotted  the  lands 
to  individuals  of  the  corporation  or  proprietary,  as  occasion 
required,  in  proportion  to  their  respective  shares.  In  the 
course  of  time,  the  lands  of  the  proprietary  were  all  distrib- 
uted, as  appears  by  their  records,  which,  for  the  most  part, 
have  been  preserved.  These  records  are  of  two  kinds  :  first, 
those  of  the  votes  of  the  corporation,  and  secondly,  those  of 
the  location  of  grants  to  individuals  of  the  corporation,  which 
last  records  are  analogous  to  the  Registry  of  Deeds.  The 
landed  history  of  the  old  towns  in  New  England  is  full  of 
interest,  and  to  these  records  we  must  recur  to  obtain  the 
early  portion  of  such  history. 

The  township  of  Groton  was  equal  to  eight  miles  square,  or 
sixty-four  square  miles,  —  equivalent  to  40,960  acres,  and  the 


134  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

whole  number  of  *'  acre-rights  "  belonging  to  the  original  pro- 
prietors was  827,  owned  by  5 1  persons.  According  to  this 
calculation,  in  a  general  division  of  the  property  at  the  outset, 
the  owner  of  a  single  "  acre-right "  would  have  been  entitled 
to  nearly  fifty  acres  of  land,  and  the  larger  proprietors  to  a 
similar  proportion.  The  division  of  land,  however,  was  not 
made  all  at  once,  but  at  several  different  times,  and  the 
amount  set  off  to  each  one  was  determined  somewhat  by  its 
value.  Considerable  land  was  sold  at  the  start  in  order  to 
raise  money  to  build  in  part  a  meeting-house,  and  to  defray 
certain  other  public  expenses  ;  and,  even  after  this  was  done, 
many  thousand  acres  still  remained  unsold.  This  undivided 
land  was  generally  called  the  "  town's  common  "  or  "  town's 
commons,"  or  the  "  common  land."  The  proprietors  of  the  town 
probably  never  received  from  their  "acre-rights"  —  or  stock, 
as  we  should  call  it  —  any  dividends  in  money.  Their  profits 
came  from  the  division  of  lands  ;  and  the  current  expenses  of 
the  corporation  were  met  by  the  income  from  the  sales.  The 
first  division  was  made,  doubtless,  as  early  as  the  year  1661, 
when  a  Committee,  appointed  by  the  General  Court,  October, 
1659,  to  consider  certain  difficulties  that  had  arisen  in  connec- 
tion with  the  settlement  of  the  town,  made  a  report  recom- 
mending :  — 

"  I  That  the  old  planters  &  theire  Assignes  whose  names  are 
John  Tincker  Rich  :  Smith.  W"  Martyn.  Ri :  blood  Rob'  Blood  &  Jn° 
Lakin  that  they  reteine  &  keepe  as  theire  propriety,  (of  such  lands 
as  they  now  clajme  an  Interest  in)  each  of  them  only  twenty  acres 
of  meadow  twenty  acres  for  the  house  lott  tenn  acres  Intervale 
land  &  tenn  acres  of  other  vplands  &  that  the  same  be  sett  out  by 
a  comittee  so  as  may  not  vnequally  prejudice  such  as  are  or  may 
be  theire  Neighbors 

"  2  That  the  neere  lands  &  meadows,  be  so  deuided  as  may  ac- 
comodate at  least  sixty  familjes  &  for  that  end  That  the  first  diuis- 
sion  of  lands  be  made  in  manner  following  viz  such  as  haue  one 
hundred  &  fifty  pounds  estate  shall  be  allowed  equal  w*''  old 
planters  aboue  &  that  none  exceed  &  y'  none  haue  lesse  than  tenn 
acres  for  theire  house  lott  &  fiue  acres  of  meadow  two  &  a  halfe 
acres  of  Intervale  &  two  &  a  halfe  of  other  lands  for  planting  lotts 


GROTON,.  MASSACHUSETTS.  135 

in  theire  first  divission  &  that  none  be  admitted  to  haue  graunts  of 
lotts  there  but  on  Condition^  following "  ...  —  General  Court 
Records,  iv.  371. 

The  selection  of  land  by  the  early  settlers  was  governed 
largely  by  circumstances  not  now  clearly  understood.  A 
man's  lands  were  widely  scattered,  and  he  might  want  a  cer- 
tain piece  because  it  joined  his  neighbor's,  or  for  some  other 
simple  reason.  At  times  the  division  was  made  by  lot,  which 
fact  furnishes  the  origin  and  explanation  of  the  American  use 
of  the  word  lot,  as  applied  to  a  portion  of  land  measured  off, 
or  appropriated  to  any  particular  purpose.  It  is  recorded  in 
the  Groton  town  records,  November  30,  1663,  that 

"  Its  agreed  that  when  all  men  hav  their  full  allowan  of  medow 
The  residue  shall  be  devided  to  the  p'sent  inhabitants  by  lot  ac- 
cording to  every  mans  proportion  " 

It  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  first  settlers  of  the 
town  did  not  attach  the  same  signification  to  the  word  meadow 
which  now  belongs  to  it  in  New-England,  where  it  means  low, 
swampy  land,  without  regard  to  the  mowing.  They  called  by 
the  name  meadow  all  grass-land  that  was  annually  mown  for 
hay,  and  especially  that  by  the  side  of  a  river  or  a  brook,  and 
this  meaning  of  the  word  was  the  common  one  in  England, 
whence  they  brought  their  language.  They  sometimes  spoke 
of  a  swamp,  meaning  by  it  what  we  call  a  bog,  but  much  of 
this  kind  of  land  has  since  been  reclaimed,  and  is  known  with 
us  as  meadow.  As  a  matter  of  fact  it  happened  that  the  lands 
which  could  be  mown  for  the  fodder  were  low  lands,  and  it 
would  require  perhaps  less  than  a  generation  to  transfer  the 
meaning  of  mowing  lands  to  the  low  lands,  which  were  about 
the  only  ones  that  could  be  mown  in  the  early  days  of  the 
colony.  This  explanation  will  make  clear  the  following  vote 
of  the  town,  passed  February  18,  1680:  — 

"  At  the  same  meeting  it  was  agreed  vpon  and  voted  that  M' 
Hubberd  should  haue  all  the  comon  which  was  capable  to  mak 
medow  in  swan  pond  medow  vp  to  the  vpland  for  seauen  acre  and 
a  halfe  for  to  mak  vp  his  fifteen  acres  of  medow  " 


136  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

Many  words  in  common  use  in  early  times  have  changed 
their  meaning,  and  others  have  dropped  out  of  the  language. 
Spong,  spang,  or  spung  —  different  forms  of  the  same  word, 
found  several  times  in  these  grants  —  is  a  case  in  point.  In 
its  struggle  for  existence,  it  has  not  survived,  because  it  was 
not  needed.  James  Roberts's  land-grant  speaks  of  "  two  par- 
cells  or  spongs  ; "  William  Elluee's,  of  "  the  northermost  spang 
of  Buck  medow,"  and  John  Page's  of  "  severall  spongs  or  an- 
gles." It  was  a  local  word  in  England,  used  in  Suffolk,  and 
meant  "  an  irregular,  narrow,  projecting  part  of  a  field,  whether 
planted  or  in  grass."  (Moor's  "  Suffolk  Words,"  London, 
1823.)  Another  obsolete  word  found  in  these  grants  is  "hole," 
of  which  the  signification  is  not  so  clear.  The  record  of 
Joseph  Parker's  land  speaks  of  an  acre  lying  "In  a  hole  neare 
the  Angle  medow  ; "  and  that  of  Cornelius  Church's,  of  a 
tract  of  "  land  containing  two  holle  or  three  of  swampy 
medow  ; "  and  Timothy  Allen's  grant  mentions  three  acres  at 
"  Skull  holl."  J.  C.  Atkinson,  in  his  "  Glossary  of  the  Cleve- 
land Dialect," —  a  dialect  spoken  in  a  district  of  Northumber- 
land, England,  gives  "  Holl ;  a  deep  narrow  depression  in  the 
surface  of  the  land  or  place,  of  no  great  longitudinal  extent." 
The  preposition  through  is  spelled  thorow  in  these  records, 
showing  its  old  pronunciation  and  its  kinship  to  thorough.  In 
the  early  records  of  the  town,  "  angle  "  and  "  squadron  "  were 
used  to  denote  districts,  and  these  words  are  other  instances 
of  the  natural  changes  in  the  language.  At  a  meeting  of  the 
selectmen,  held  December  27,  1669,  it  was  agreed  upon  that 

"euery  man  work  proportionabley  according  to  his  estat  and  that 
the  wayes  are  to  be  mended  in  the  seuerall  anggells  of  the  towne  " 

and  again  at  a  meeting,  held  January  18,  167 1,  it  was 

"  agreed  vpon  by  the  select  men  for  the  diuiding  of  their  seuerall 
sqvadrons  and  for  the  calling  out  of  their  men  to  work  that  is  within 
their  seuerall  sqvadrons  as  is  exprest  in  their  seuerall  papers  " 

Both  of  these  words  are  found  in  the  records  during  many 
years,  in  connection  with  the  schools,  meaning  what  is  now 
known  by  districts. 


GROTON,    MASSACHUSETTS.  1 37 

There  was  a  second  division  of  land  made  at  a  very  early 
date.  In  the  record  of  Sergeant  James  Parker's  lands,  there 
is  a  reference  to  three  acres  in  Plain  Meadow  "  that  was  laid 
out  to  James  Knop  in  the  second  division."  This  tract  of 
meadow  is  mentioned  in  Knop's  or  Knap's  grant,  which  is 
dated  "6"^  5™  1666,"  and,  perhaps,  refers  to  the  division  au- 
thorized by  the  town,  October  8,  1665. 

At  a  town  meeting  held  in  Groton,  December  24,  1662,  it 
was  voted  that 

"all  the  lands  that  are  or  here  after  shall  be  granted  shall  be 
recorded  with  these  expressions  following,  viz  :  To  such  a  one  or 
such  a  one  &c  :  Ten  or :  Twenty  Acars  so  &  so  bounded  be  it  es- 
teemed more  or  lesse  " 

On  November  30  of  the  next  year,  it  was  voted  that 

"  every  man  of  this  Town  shall  bring  a  note  of  all  his  lands  or 
their  lands  Bounded  &  abutted  vnto  y®  Town-Clark  being  subscribed 
by  two  that  helpt  to  lay  them  out  and  then  the  said  dark  shall  re- 
cord them  in  the  Town  Book  and  giue  to  each  a  Transcript  of  his 
land  acording  to  the  Towns  record  which  shall  be  vieued  by  the 
Select  [men]  both  originall  &  coppy  and  if  y*  originall  Town  Rec- 
ord &  y*  Transcript  be  found  to  agree  then  each  mans  Transcript 
shall  be  subscribed  by  the  Town  Clark  " 

In  accordance  with  these  votes,  the  grants  of  land  were 
recorded  in  the  book,  which  contained  also  the  public  acts  of 
the  town.  This  practice  was  kept  up  during  a  period  of 
twenty  years,  when  it  became  somewhat  inconvenient.  About 
this  time  it  was  customary  for  the  town  to  choose  a  committee 
to  instruct  the  selectmen  in  the  management  of  public  affairs, 
and  one  of  the  "instructions  "  for  the  year  1682  was  that 

"  the  salackt  men  are  to  tak  spashal  care  that  thare  bee  a  town 
book  &  a  sofishant  man  chosen  to  racord  our  lands  as  may  stand 
acording  to  law  " 

In  compliance  with  this  recommendation,  John  Morse,  who 
previously  had  been  the  town  clerk,  was   chosen  as  the  "  so- 


138  EARLY  RECORDS   OF 

fishant  man,"  He  was  probably  the  fittest  person  in  town  for 
the  position,  as  he  wrote  a  good  hand  and  was  famihar  with 
the  duties  of  the  office,  having  previously  recorded  in  the  town 
book  most  of  the  land-grants.  He  began  the  work  in  the 
autumn  of  1683,  and  in  the  course  of  a  few  months  had  copied 
into  the  new  book  from  the  old  one  all  the  grants  as  they 
stood  at  that  time.  After  the  transcript  was  completed,  the 
new  book  was  used  for  the  subsequent  grants  until  it  was  full, 
when  the  record  was  continued  in  other  volumes. 

In  the  year  1664,  a  controversy  sprung  up  between  the  town 
and  John  Lawrence,  about  some  land.  In  itself,  it  was  of 
little  moment ;  but  in  its  consequences  it  affected  the  whole 
town.  The  question  was  referred  to  an  arbitrating  commit- 
tee, which  decided  against  Lawrence,  who,  of  course,  was 
dissatisfied  with  the  result.  The  matter  afterward  came  up 
at  a  town  meeting,  September  21,  1665,  and  in  substance  was 
reconsidered.     It  was  then  voted  that  — 

"  John  lawranc  senf  shall  quiatly  posese  and  Inioye  a  passelle  of 
land  in  controuersey  and  allredey  within  his  flenc  and  a  Joyning  to 
his  house  lotte  contining  too  acors  mor  or  lesse  bounded  west  and 
south  by  the  hye  way  and  north  and  east  by  his  own  land  &  granted 
to  him  as  a  grantiuety  "  . 

At  the  same  meeting,  it  was 

"  also  granted  that  eury  Inhabetant  shall  haue  the  like  priuledg 
proposonally  " 

Some  additional  action  was  taken  in  this  matter  October 
10,  1665,  when  it  was 

"  voated  by  the  town  y'  in  considration  of  a  grattiaty  formerly 
granted  to  eury  Inhabetante  anserable  to  John  lauranc  sen  his  grante 
y"^  21  of  the  seaventh  mo"'  65  y'  eury  man  shall  haue  liberty  to  take 
vp  6  accors  to  a  twentey  accor  house  lote,  and  in  case  it  Joine  to 
his  house  eury  man  shall  take  vp  pposonabl  ther  vnto  respectng 
such  as  haue  eyther  the  holle  or  any  part  therof  alredy,  but  if  mor 
remote  eury  Inhabetant  shall  haue  libert[y]  to  take  vp  too  for  one  " 

Other  instances  of  gratuities — or  accommodations,  as  they 
are  sometimes  called  —  are  found  in  the  records.     A  brook 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  1 39 

and  a  highway  in  the  neighborhood  of  some  of  them,  have 
taken  their  names  from  the  word,  and  to  this  day  are  known, 
under  its  contracted  form,  as  "'Tuity  Brook,"  and  "'Tuity 
Road." 

Sometimes  land  was  given  in  order  to  induce  settlers  to 
come  and  abide  in  the  town.  At  a  meeting,  held  probably  in 
April,  1669,  it  was 

"  by  vote  granted  to  Robert  parish  . .  .  [Park]er  and  timothy 
Couper  that  th[ey  shall  be]  and  now  ar  free  Comoners  for  wood 
and  timber  and  for  there  owne  Cat  [tie]  as  other  men  of  this  towne 
haue  paying  to  all  towne  Charges  according  to  there  proportion  " 

A  free  commoner  was  one  who  had  a  right  to  use  the 
common  or  undivided  lands,  free  of  charge.  At  the  same 
meeting 

"  the  towne  did  solemlie  determine  to  take  in  no  more  but  a  tay- 
lear  and  a  smith  and  Consedering  the  great  Charg  that  hath  bine 
vpon  the  present  inhabitants  the  do  now  by  vote  declare  that  by 
way  of  grant  or  gift  directlie  or  indirectlie  as  a  towne  and  the 
townes  mind  herein  declared  by  vote  the  second  of  June  1669. 
onely  a  smith  and  no  other  " 

Immediately  afterward,  ten  of  the  proprietors  gave  twenty 
acres  of  land  to  Robert  Parish,  which  was  not  done 

"  as  a  towne  act  but  out  of  everie  mans  owne  petikuler  Right 
provided  hee  Come  and  settell  amongst  vs  a  townes  man  and  not 
other  wayes  " 

At  a  town  meeting  held  June  8,  1680,  there  were  granted 

"  to  Thomas  Beall  of  linn  tanner  ten  acres  of  land  by  the  town 
prouided  he  come  and  liue  among  them  and  he  not  alienating  nor 
selling  it " 

The  following  extracts  from  the  records  show  —  to  say 
nothing  of  the  town  clerk's  spelling — what  was  done  fre- 
quently at  the  early  town  meetings. 


140  EARLY  RECORDS   OF 

Under  date  of  December  ii,  1682, — 

"  it  was  uotyd  and  a  gred  upon  that  tha  that  was  chosin  too  sell 
land  for  the  finishin  the  meetin  hous  was  too  sell  no  mor  " 

And  again  it  is  recorded  :  — 

"  at  a  gennirall  Toown  meeting  25d  4  m  1683  A  gred  upon  and 
uotyd  that  the  Toown  wooll  -sell  land  for  too  pay  thar  present  deews 
and  the  Comity  shall  sell  no  land  within  too  mill  of  the  metin 
hous  and  the  Comity  shall  sell  no  land  undr  twenty  ackr  &  eck- 
sept  it  be  furst  brought  too  the  Toown  at  a  ginaruU  Toown  meting 
and  if  the  Town  doo  determined  too  sell  such  land  the  Comity  may 
Deed  it  lagully 

"  The  in  habitenc  of  This  Toown  have  liberty  too  by  land  att  a 
uallowabll  Prise  of  the  Comity  so  noe  land  shall  be  soald  undr 
Twell  penc  A  nacker" 

The  law  authorized  the  proprietors  of  lands  lying  in  com- 
mon to  dispose  of  or  divide  them  ;  but  it  was  not  until  March 
25,  1713,  that  an  act  was  passed,  prescribing  the  mode  of  call- 
ing a  meeting  of  such  proprietors  for  this  purpose.  Under 
the  provision  of  this  statute,  a  meeting  of  the  proprietors  of 
Groton  was  called,  March  4,  1717  ;  and,  from  that  time,  sepa- 
rate records  were  kept.  Before  the  passage  of  the  act,  there 
was  no  distinction  between  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  and 
the  proprietors. 

At  a  meeting  held  September  5,  172 1,  by  adjournment  from 
April  28,  a  division  of  the  common  land  was  made,  allowing 
two  acres  to  each  acre-right,  of  which  one  half  was  to  be  laid 
out  on  the  east  side  of  the  Nashua  River,  and  the  other  on 
the  west  side.  Another  division  was  voted  January  17,  1726- 
27,  giving  the  same  proportion  of  land  to  the  owners  ;  and 
subsequent  divisions  followed,  on  February  9,  1741,  November 
14,  1748,  and  a  final  one  on  February  4,  1760.  After  this  last 
division,  the  proprietors  continued  to  hold  meetings  at  varying 
intervals  until  November  28,  1829,  when  they  confirmed  the 
sale  of  land  made  March  21,  1828,  to  Phinehas  Nutting.  This 
was  the  last  tract  of  common  land  belonging  to  the  original 
grant,  and  contained  about  six  acres  and  a  half.     It  was  situ- 


GROTON,    MASSACHUSETTS.  I4I 

ated  somewhere  between  Cady  Pond  and  Brown  Loaf,  and 
fetched  sixteen  dollars. 

The  association  known  as  the  Proprietors  of  Groton  is  now 
dissolved,  and  the  meeting  on  November  28,  1829,  is  the  last 
one  that  ever  will  be  held. 

The  following  land-grants  are  copied  from  "  The  Indian 
Roll,"  and  comprise  some  that  are  not  found  in  the  proprie- 
tors' records.  These  grants,  with  a  few  trifling  exceptions, 
were  made  before  the  town  was  burned  by  the  Indians  ;  and 
the  entries  of  them  in  the  record-book  are  now  on  loose  and 
detached  leaves.  Considerable  interest  and  value  belong  to 
them,  as  they  indicate  the  sites  of  the  house-lots  where  the 
earliest  settlers  lived,  which,  in  some  cases,  can  be  identified. 
The  families  of  Allen,  Barron,  Boyden,  Cady,  Clary,  Crisp, 
EUuee,  Fisk,  Garfield,  Knop,  Martin,  Onge,  Parish,  and  Strat- 
ton,  —  names  mentioned  in  these  grants,  —  are  no  longer  rep- 
resented in  this  neighborhood  by  living  descendants.  Cady 
Pond,  Knop's  Pond,  and  Martin's  Pond,  however,  perpetuate 
three  of  the  names.  It  is  thought  that  the  surname  of  EUuee 
no  longer  exists  in  New  England.  In  this  word  the  u  had  the 
force  of  a  v,  and  the  name  was  pronounced  as  if  written  Elvy. 
Perhaps  it  has  passed  into  another  form.  The  surname  Onge 
is  also  believed  to  have  died  out  in  New  England.  It  may 
have  been  changed  to  Young,  as  it  is  sometimes  spelled  Oung 
in  the  County  records.  The  names  of  certain  hills,  meadows, 
and  ponds,  familiar  to  us  as  household  words,  are  mentioned, 
showing  that  they  were  given  in  the  earliest  days  of  the  town. 
Among  them  are  the  names  of  Gibbet  Hill  and  Brown  Loaf, 
Broad  Meadow  and  Half-Moon  Meadow,  Martin's  Pond  and 
Baddacook  Pond,  and  others  equally  well  known.  Many 
places,  then  called  by  names  which  are  now  forgotten,  can  be 
recognized  from  the  description  of  them.  Cow  Pond,  Massa- 
poag  Pond,  Sandy  Pond,  and  Spectacle  Pond,  all  were  named 
at  a  very  early  period  in  the  town's  history.  Nonacoicus  was 
an  Indian  name  given  to  a  place  now  included  in  Ayer.  It  is 
a  little  singular  that  Squannacook,  also  an  Indian  word,  is  not 
found  in  these  records  ;  it  was  in  use,  however,  as  early  as  the 
year  1683.     I  am  unable  to  identify  Pine  Hill,  or  Barralock 


142  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

Hill,  mentioned  in  Samuel  Woods's  grant.  Indian  Hill,  or 
Hills,  as  the  expression  frequently  is,  was  probably  the  range 
of  hills  beginning  near  James's  Brook,  a  mile  south  of  the 
village,  and  running  in  an  easterly  direction,  on  the  south 
side  of  the  "  Great  Road  "  to  Boston.  Horse  Hill,  spoken  of 
in  Mr.  Willard's  grant,  lies  mostly  in  Dunstable,  overlooking 
Massapoag  Pond.  Cow-pond  Brook,  Massapoag  Brook,  James's 
Brook,  Sandy  Brook,  Hawtree  Brook,  and  Urtqueternorset 
Brook,  sometimes  called  Unquety,  are  familiar  to  the  present 
generation.  The  meadows  are  more  numerous,  but  not  many 
of  them  have  kept  their  designations  ;  though  perhaps  a  few 
are  still  known  by  the  old  names  in  their  immediate  neighbor- 
hodd.  Among  them  are  the  following :  Accident,  Angle, 
Brook,  Buck,  Burnt,  Cow-pond,  East,  Flaggy,  Flax,  Ferney, 
Little  Half-Moon,  Lodge,  Long,  Maple,  Pine,  Plain,  Pretty, 
Providence,  Quosoponagon,  Reedy,  Rock,  Round,  Sallo  (per- 
haps sallow,  a  species  of  willow).  Sedge,  Sledge,  South,  Spang, 
Spot,  Spruce,  Swamp,  and  Weavers.  Angle  Meadow  and 
Plain  Meadow  were  situated  in  the  northerly  part  of  Groton, 
and  Burnt  Meadow  in  the  vicinity  of  Cow  Pond.  Cold  Spring 
was  "  on  y®  Left  hand  of  the  high  way  that  goe  to  Reedy 
medow," — which  meadow,  also  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
town,  still  keeps  its  old  name.  Flaggy  Meadow  and  Ferney 
Meadow  were  near  Brown  Loaf,  and  Rock  Meadow  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Snake  Hill.  Quosoponagon  Meadow  was 
"on  the  other  sid  of  the  Riuer,"  perhaps  toward'  Squanna- 
cook,  and  Buck  Meadow  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  town. 
Among  these  entries,  no  allusion  is  made  to  woodland,  for  the 
reason,  doubtless,  that  wood  was  so  cheap  and  common. 

The  "  general  field,"  frequently  mentioned  in  these  grants, 
refers  to  land  owned  in  severalty  by  a  number  of  persons,  who 
turned  it  into  one  field,  for  reasons  of  mutual  advantage.  The 
terms  "  sergeants  field  "  and  "  Sargeants  field  medow,"  also 
mentioned,  I  do  not  fully  understand  ;  perhaps  they  refer  to 
Serereant  Parker's  field. 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  I43 


EARLY   LAND-GRANTS. 


A  Record  of  the  severall  Propriators  of  Groton,  their  Names 
and  Lands,  which  hath  been  orderly  psented  to  the  Towne 
Clark.  Revised  &  aproved  by  the  Selectmen,  ac or  ding 
to  an  Order  of  Towne  bearing  date  Nov  em.  30,  1663. 

THE  LANDS  OF  WALTER  SKINER. 

1.  His  Vplands.  To  his  house  lot  with  sora  adition  therevnto, 
twenty  &  eight  acres  by  estimation,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  on  the 
north  v/ith  the  vpland  of  Timothy  Allen,  and  on  the  west  with 
Timothy  Allen,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  hie-way  and  town's 
comon. 

2.  Three  acres  &  a  halfe  by  estimation,  more  or  lesse,  bounded 
south-west  with  the  hie-way,  north-west  w"^  Joseph  Parker,  north-east 
with  comon  land,  south-east  with  Timothy  Allen  and  Walter  Skiner. 

3.  His  Medow.  In  fflaggy  Medow,  six  acres  by  estimation,  more 
or  lesse,  bounded  on  the  north  with  y*  medow  of  James  Parker,  and 
all  other  poynts  on  comon  land. 

4.  In  Broade  Medow,  two  acres  by  estimation,  more  or  lesse, 
bounded  north  with  the  land  of  John  Nutin,  east  with  the  lands  of 
James  Parker,  south  with  the  lands  of  John  Baron  &  Benjamine 
Garfield,  west  with  the  towne  comon. 

5.  One  acre  of  medow,  more  or  lesse,  lying  in  two  parsells,  bound- 
ed west  with  the  pond,  &  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  comon. 

6.  In  Maple  Medow,  two  acres  by  estimation,  bounded  south- 
west with  the  medow  of  SamueU  Woods,  north-west  with  the  medow 
of  Joshua  Whitny,  and  all  other  poynts  on  y"  towne  comon. 

Jan.  21,  1663.  Revised,  aproved,  &  confirmed  (according  to 
order  of  towne)  by  the  Selectmen. 


144  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

This  Indenture  wittnesseth  that  Water  Skinner  hath  sold,  giuen, 
granted,  and  exchanged,  his  six  acres  [of]  meadow,  more  or  lesse, 
lying  in  Flaggy  Meadow,  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  medow  of 
James  Parker,  and  on  all  points  w*  y^  town's  vplands,  to  and  with 
Samuell  Woods,  his  heirs  and  executors  and  administrators,  for  euer. 
And  also,  this  Indenture  wittnesseth  that  the  sd  Samuell  Woods  hath 
sold,  alienated,  giuen,  granted,  and  exchanged,  to  and  with  the  aboue- 
sd  Water  Skinner,  his  three  acres  of  meadow,  more  or  lesse,  lying 
in  Vncattenorset  Meadow,  bounded  west  southwardly  with  Richard 
Blood's,  and  on  all  other  points  with  the  town's  vpland  and  riuer ; 
and  with  three  acres,  more  or  lesse,  lying  in  Mapple  Meadow,  bounded 
south  west  with  the  meadow  of  Just.  Holdin,  and  on  [all  ]  other  points 
with  the  town's  vplands  and  Wa[lter]  Skinner's  owne  meadow ;  for 
him,  the  sd  Walter  Skinner  and  his  heirs,  executors,  and  administra- 
tors, for  euer.     For  the  true  pformance,  the  pties  abouesd  haue  entere 

...  set  to  their  hands,  2f^  2"°  i666. 

his  marke 
Water  (/)   [Skinner], 

his  .  .  . 
Samuell  [Woods]. 
[I]n  the  psence  of  vs, 

Witt,  LONGLEY, 

Nathanil  Lawrance. 


THE  LANDS  OF  CHRISTOPHER  HALLE. 

1.  Mis  Vplands.  And  flfirst,  his  hous-lot,  with  that  \f  adjoyns  to 
it,  thirty  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  north  w*  5^"  lands  of  Jonathan 
Crisp,  south  w'  y*  lands  of  Daniell  Metup,  east  with  the  hie-way,  west 
with  the  town's  comon. 

2.  In  the  Generall  Field,  three  acres  &  a  halfe,  more  or  less, 
bounded  north  with  the  land  of  AUexander  Rouse,  southerly  with  y' 
lands  of  James  Blud,  westerly  w'  y^  river,  esterly  w'  y^  hie  way. 

2.  His  Mcdow.  And  ffirst,  in  Broade  Medow,  two  acres,  more 
or  lesse,  bounded  northerly  with  the  medow  of  Benjamine  Garfield, 
southerly  with  the  medow  of  Joseph  Parker,  esterly  with  the  land  of 
James  Parker,  westerly  w'  y^  town's  comon. 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  145 

2.  In  Pine  Medow,  two  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  southerly 
with  the  medow  of  Benj  amine  Garfield,  northerly  w'*"  the  medow  of 
John  &  Nathaniell  Lawranc,  or  one  of  them,  easterly  and  westerly 
with  the  town's  comon. 

3.  In  ffemy  Medow,  one  acre,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  westerly 
with  y*  medow  of  Jacob  Onge,  esterly  with  the  medow  of  Daniell 
Metup,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  towne  comon. 

4.  In  fflaggy  Medow,  three  acres,  more  or  less,  bounded  esterly 
w'  James  Parker,  westerly  with  Jonathan  Crisp,  northerly  with  y*^ 
medow  of  James  Parker,  and  southerly  with  the  town's  comon. 

5.  In  Reedy  Medow,  two  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  west  with 
the  medow  of  John  Lakin,  esterly  with  the  medow  of  John  Baron, 
northerly  with  the  town's  swamp  and  vpland,  southerly  w*  the 
hieway. 

6.  Two  acres  of  medow,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  esterly  with 
3^  medow  of  Jacob  Onge,  &  on  all  other  poynts  w'  the  town's 
comon. 

Decem.  2,  1664.  Revised,  aproved,  &  confirmed,  by  the  Select- 
men, acording  to  order  of  towne. 

One  pcell  of  thirteen  and  a  halfe  acres  of  vpland,  bounded  with 
[th]ree  lines,  i  on  the  south,  the  2  north  east,  and  the  third  nor[th 
we]st.  And  also,  this  writing  wittnesseth  that  Christopher  [Ha]ll  hath 
laid  downe  for  common  land,  fiue  acres  &  a  quarter  ...  in  the  Gen- 
erall  Feild,  it  being  his  owne  pportion,  and  an  .  .  .  quarter  that  the 
sd  Hall  bought  of  Elexander  [Rouse]  .  .  .  act  and  deed  deliuered 
into  the  Towne  Clerk  hands. 

THE  LANDS   OF   CHRISTOPHER   HALL. 

1.  Medows.  In  ffemy  Medow,  one  acre,  more  or  lesse,  bounded 
westerly  with  the  medow  of  Christopher  Hall,  and  on  all  other  poynts 
with  the  town's  vplands. 

2,  In  Spot  Medow,  one  acre,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  on  all  poynts 
with  the  town's  vpland,  and  the  nearest  medow  to  it  is  John  Clary's, 
his  Cow-pond  Medow,  which  psell  of  medow  is  alienated  by  Joseph 
Morsse  for  two  acres  in  fflagy  Medow  which  was  somtimes  the  sd 
Christopher  Hall's,  as  is  speciffied  in  the  record  of  the  sd  Joseph. 
Morsse,  vnto  which  alienation  the  wiues  of  them  both  doe  giue  their 
consent  to  the  giuing  vp  their  thirds. 


146  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 


THE  LANDS  OF  DANIELL  METUP. 

1.  His  Vplands.     And  ffirst,  his  houslot,  twenty  acres,  with  an 

addition,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  southerly  with  the  land  of  Benjamine 

Garfield,  northerly  with  the  land  of  Christopher  Halle,  esterly  with 

the  hie-way,  northerly  w'  y^  town's  comon. 

^, .   .     f      2.     In  the  Generall  Field,  one  acre  and  three  roode, 
This  IS    I 
more   or  J  bounded  westerly  with  the  riuer,  esterly  with  the  hie-way, 

lesse    as  j  southerly  with  the  land  of  James  ffisk,  northerly  with  y* 

1^  comon. 

2.  His  Medowes.  And  ffirst,  in  Broade  Medow,  one  acre,  more 
or  less,  bounded  southerly  with  the  medow  of  Benjamine  Garfield, 
northerly  with  the  medow  of  John  Baron,  westerly  with  the  town's 
comon. 

2.  In  Pine  Medow,  two  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  north 
esterly  with  y*  medow  of  Ralph  Reede,  southerly  with  y*  medow 
of  Benjamine  Garfield,  east  &  west  with  the  town's  comon. 

3.  In  fferny  Medow,  one  acre,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  westerly 
with  the  medow  of  Christopher  Halle,  &  on  all  other  poynts  with 
the  town's  vpland. 

4.  In  Spot  Medow,  one  acre,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  on  all  poynts 
with  the  town's  vpland,  and  the  nearest  medow  to  it  is  John  Clary, 
his  Cow-pond  Medow. 

5.  One  acre  of  medow,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  north  esterly  w*  y* 
land  of  John  Mos,  south  west  with  the  town's  swamp,  &  on  all  other 
poynts  with  the  town's  vpland. 

December  2,  1664.  Revised,  aproved,  &  confirmed  by  the  Select 
men,  acording  to  order  of  y^  towne. 

A  further  grant  vnto  these  aforsaid  lands  as  a  gratuity  only,  the 
aforsaid  lands  lying  in  the  Generall  Feild,  being  laid  downe  as 
common  land  for  the  town's  vse,  and  then  the  grant  is  foure  acres 
and  three  quarters,  bounded  on  all  poynts  with  common  lands. 


THE  LANDS   OF  JOSEPH   PARKER. 

His  Vplands.  And  ffirst,  his  hous-lot  with  som  additions  there 
vnto,  forty  &  eight  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  north  on  the  land 
of  James  Roberts,  &  on  all  other  poynts  w'  y'  hie-wayes. 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  147 

2.  Eleven  acres,  more  or  lesse,  of  vpland  &  swamp,  bounded 
southerly  on  the  land  of  James  Roberts,  west  northerly  on  the  land  of 
William  Longly,  &  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  comon. 

3.  In  the  Generall  Field,  six  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  west- 
northerly  with  the  land  of  James  Knop,  westerly  with  the  lands  of 
John  Mos,  &  on  all  other  poynts  w'  y®  hie-wayes. 

4.  ffourteene  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  north  on  y  land  of 
James  Parker,  south  &  west  w'  y^  land  of  William  Longly,  &  on  all 
other  poynts  w'  y^  town's  comon. 

[This  last  paragraph  is  erased  in  the  original.] 
2.     I/is  Medowes.    And  ffirst,  in  Broade  Medow,  six  acres,  more  or 
lesse,  bounded  southerly  with  the  medow  of  John  Page,  north  with  the 
medow  of  Christopher  HaUe,  east  with  the  medow  of  James  Parker, 
west  w'  y^  town's  vpland. 

2.  In  Brovvne-Loafe  HiU  Medow,  eight  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bound- 
ed north  easterly  with  y*  brooke,  &  on  all  other  poynts  w'  y*  town's 
vpland. 

3.  At  Vnquetenorset  Brooke,  lyeing  on  both  sides  of  it,  two  acres, 
more  or  lesse,  bounded  north  westerly  with  the  medow  of  Joseph 
Gilson,  &  on  all  other  poynts  w*  y°  town's  vpland. 

4.  Lieing  on  Vnquetenorset  Brooke,  one  acre,  more  or  lesse, 
bounded  south-easterly  w'  y®  medow  of  William  Longly,  &  on  all 
other  poynts  w'  y^  town's  vpland. 

5 .  Lieing  on  Vnquetenorset  Brooke,  four  acres,  more  or  less,  bound- 
ed south-easterly  w'  y*  lands  of  William  Longly,  &  northwesterly 
&  on  all  other  pojmts  with  the  town's  vpland. 

6.  Two  acres  of  medow  in  Swamp  Medow,  more  or  lesse,  lying 
in  two  parcels  near  together,  bounded  on  all  poynts  with  the  towne's 
comon. 

7.  In  Angle  Medow,  one  acre,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  westerly  with 
the  medow  of  James  Parker,  &  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  towne's 
vpland. 

8.  In  a  hole  neare  the  Angle  Medow,  one  acre,  more  or  lesse, 
bounded  on  all  poynts  w'  y^  town's  vpland ;  and  was  given  him  over 
&  aboue  with  respect  to  the  badnes  of  his  other  medow. 

9.  In  Swamp  Medow,  four  acres,  more  or  less,  [bounded]  east  witl> 
y*  medow  of  William  Lakin,  &  [on  all  other]  poynts  with  the 
town's  vpland. 

10.  In  Prety  Medow,  four  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  westerly 


148  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

w*  y*  medow  of  John  Lakin,  easterly  w'  y"  medow  of  James  Parker, 
&  on  all  other  p  .  .  . 

II.     Of  vpland,  fourteen  .  .  .  \^  much  torn.  ~\ 

13.  One  acre  of  medow,  more  or  lesse,  [bounded]  south  with  the 
medow  of  James  Parker,  west  with  the  medow  [of]  Benjamine 
Garfield,  [and]  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  vpland. 

December  2,  1664.  Revised,  aproved,.and  confirmed  by  y*  Select- 
men, according  to  order  of  towne. 


THE   LANDS  OF  JOHN   PAGE. 

1.  His  Vpla?ids.  And  ffirst,  his  houslot,  twenty  acres,  more  or 
lesse,  bounded  east  with  the  hieway,  west  with  the  town's  comon, 
north  with  the  land  of  Joseph  Blud,  south  with  the  land  of  Nathaniell 
Laranc. 

2.  Twenty  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  east  with  the  land  of  John 
Page,  west  with  the  town's  comon,  north  with  Joseph  Blud  his  land, 
south  w'  y*  land  of  Nathaniell  Laranc. 

3.  Seaven  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  east  with  the  land  of 
Richard  Blud,  west  with  the  hieway,  north  with  the  land  of  James 
Parker,  south  with  the  land  of  Nathaniell  Laranc. 

4.  ffifteene  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  west  with  the  river,  east 
with  the  land  of  Samuell  Davis,  &  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's 
comon. 

I.  ffour  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  south  west  w*  y*  land  of 
Nathaniell  Laranc,  and  vpon  all  other  poynts  with  the  river. 
^  ^  2.  ffour  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  north  east  with  y"  land 
of  Nathaniell  Laranc,  south  west  w'  y*  land  of  John  Longly,  & 
on  all  other  poynts  w'  y'  river. 
2.  JJis  Medowes.  And  ffirst,  in  Broade  Medow,  four  acres  and  a 
halfe,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  east  with  y*  medow  of  Timothy  Allen 
&  the  medow  belonging  to  the  minestry,  west  with  the  town's 
comon,  north  w'  y'^  medow  of  .  .  .  Parker,  south  with  the  medow  of 
Richard  B[lood]. 

2.  In  Rock  Medow,  six  acres,  more  or  less,  bounded  north  with 
the  medow  of  Thomas  Boyden,  south  with  the  medow  of  John  Barron, 
east  &  west  with  the  town's  comon. 


o 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  I49 

3.  In  South  Brooke  Medow,  three  acres  and  a  halfe,  more  or  lesse, 
lying  on  both  sides  of  the  brooke,  bounded  south  with  the  medow  of 
Richard  Holden,  &  vpon  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  comon 
&  Long-medow  way. 

4.  Lying  vpon  both  sides  of  Sandy  Brooke  and  vpon  both  sides 
of  the  Major's  brooke,  eight  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  east  with 
the  medow  of  James  Knop  &  Ellis  Baron,  south  with  the  medow 
of  William  Longly,  west  with  Major  Willard's  Hne,  &  vpon  all  other 
poynts  with  the  town's  comon. 

5.  At  Vnquetenorset  four  acres,  more  or  lesse,  lying  in  severall 
spongs  or  angles,  bounded  north  w'  y*  medow  of  James  Blud,  and 
vpon  all  other  poynts  with  y*  town's  comon. 

[In  the  margin^  This  psell  of  medow  at  Vnquetenorset  alinated  to 
William  Lakin. 

Decem.  2,  1664.  Revised,  aproved,  &  confirmed  by  the  Select 
men,  acording  to  order  of  towne ;  provided  y'  if  the  towne  shall 
see  good  to  view  his  acomodation  of  medowes,  &  shall  finde  that 
his  medowes  be  not  equivolent  .  .  .  medowes.  Then  ...  to  make 
it  equiv  .  .  .  But  if  his  medowes  be  found  much  be  [low]  eyther  for 
quantyty  or  quallyty,  then  the  overplus  is  by  agrement  to  be  desposed 
of  by  the  towne,  provided  allso,  that  Nathaniell  Laranc  haue  his  acre 
&  halfe  (w"  is  involued  with  in  the  eight  acres  at  Sandy  Pond  & 
the  Major's  brook)  made  as  good  for  its  part  as  any  acre  &  halfe 
John  Page  hath  or  shall  haue  with  in  the  foresaid  eight  acres.  As 
John  Page  hath  promised  before  the  Select  men.     Decem.  2,  1664. 

December  27,  1664.  It  was  this  daye  votted  and  granted  y*  John 
Peage  shall  haue  al  his  medow  confirmed  to  him  acording  as  it  was 
layd  out  by  the  Survayers,  and  y'  he  shall  from  this  day  forth,  peacably 
inioye  it  without  desturbance,  not  with  standing  any  former  ordr  to  the 
contrarye. 

James  Fiske,  in  the  name  of  the  towne. 

THE    LANDS   OF   JOHN    PAGE.      • 

His  Vp lands.  Twenty  acres,  more  or  lesse,  lyeing  at  Sandy 
Brook,  bounded  with  Major  Willard's  corner  tree,  south  with  his 
owne  medow,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  coinons,  only 
their  is  a  highway  of  ten  poUe  wid  goe  in  thorow  it  to  mill,  and  at 
the  brook  two  poll  wid. 


150  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

2.  For  Medow.  One  acre  and  a  halfe,  that  is  at  Sandy  Brook, 
involued  in  John  Pag's  medow,  which  was  to  Nathaniell  Lorance, 
and  is  now  layd  out  to  John  Page. 

2.  At  Cowpond  Medow,  layd  out  to  John  Page,  fiue  acres,  mor 
or  lesse,  bounded  northeast  with  Thomas  Tarbull,  Senior,  south  west 
with  Nicolas  Cady,  south  east  with  the  broke,  and  on  all  other 
poynts  with  y^  town's  coSaon. 

3.  To  John  Page  one  acre  and  a  halfe,  mor  or  less,  on  the  east 
sid  of  the  broke,  bounded  south  with  Jonathan  Morsse,  and  on  all 
other  poynts  with  the  town's  coiiion. 

4.  One  acre  and  a  halfe,  mor  or  lesse,  lyeingnear  Simon  Stone's 
medow  in  two  patches,  bounded  round  with  the  town's  common, 
each  patch  by  it  selfe. 

Revised,  compared,  and  confirmed  by  the  Select  men,  according 
to  the  order  of  the  towne. 

J[oHN  Morse],  Clark,  Janevary  3,  1669. 

THE   LANDS   OF  JOHN   PAGE. 

Medows.  Six  acres,  mor  or  lesse,  in  Broad  Medow,  bounded 
south  west  with  Ralph  Reed,  and  south  east  with  Jonathan  Sawtell, 
north  east  of  the  medow  of  John  Page  and  John  Morse,  and  on  all 
other  poynts  with  the  town's  common,  which  medow  John  Pag  had 
of  Ellis  Barron  for  sixe  acres  which  was  his  in  Rock  Medow. 

One  acre  and  a  half,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  north  and  south 
with  the  riuer,  west  with  his  own  land,  and  east  with  the  common, 
which  acre  and  half  lye  pt  vpon  the  necke. 

Reuised,  compared,  and  confirmed  by  the  Select  men,  according 
to  the  order  of  the  towne. 

John  Morse,  Clark,  Febr.  24,  1670. 


THE  LANDS  OF  THOMAS  TARBOLE,  SENIOR. 

I.  His  Vplands.  And  ffirst,  his  hous-lot,  twenty  acres,  more  or 
lesse,  bounded  north  w'  the  land  of  Richard  Sawtell,  south  & 
south  east  with  the  land  of  Jams  Knop,  west  with  Broade  Medow, 
east  with  the  hie  way. 


GROTON,    MASSACHUSETTS.  15 1 

2.  Ten  acres  of  swamp,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  north  with  the 
swamp  of  Richard  Sawtell,  south  east  with  the  swamp  of  Jams 
Knop  &  Ellis  Baron,  south  with  the  hie  way,  north  east  w'  y° 
medow  of  James  ffisk. 

3.  Thirty  acres  of  vpland,  more  or  lesse,  bounded'  north  with 
the  land  of  Thomas  Boydon,  Richard  Holden,  &  the  town's  comon^ 
west  with  the  land  of  Justinian  Holden,  south  w'  James  his  brooke, 
and  east  with  the  hie-way. 

4.  In  the  Generall  Field,  seaven  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded 
west  with  the  lands  of  John  Mos,  east  w'  y*  land  of  William  Lakin, 
south  with  comon  land,  north  with  the  hieway. 

His  Medow.  And  ffirst,  in  Broade  Medow,  fine  acres,  more  or 
lesse,  bounded  north  with  the  medow  of  William  Longly,  &  on  all 
other  poynts  with  vpland,  and  vp  to  the  town's  hye  way. 

2.  In  Littell  Halfe-mone,  two  acres,  &  more  or  lesse,  bounded 
east  with  the  Medow  of  Daniell  Pierce,  west  with  the  medow  of 
Ellis  Baron,  &  north  &  south  with  vpland. 

3.  In  Littell  Halfe-moone,  two  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded 
north  east  with  the  medow  of  Richard  Holden,  &  on  all  other 
poynts  with  swamp  &  the  town's  vp-land. 

4.  Lying  vpon  the  South  Brooke  by  y^  pond,  nine  acres,  more 
or  lesse,  bounded  south-west  with  the  medow  of  Ellis  Baron,  &  on 
all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  vp-land. 

5.  In  Long-Medow,  two  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  east  with 
the  medow  of  William  Longly,  west  with  the  medow  of  James  Knop, 
north  &  south  with  the  town's  upland. 

6.  In  South  Medow,  three  acres  and  a  halfe,  more  or  lesse, 
bounded  north  with  the  medow  of  Justinian  Holden,  south  w'  y^ 
medow  of  Joseph  Blud,  west  with  the  medow  of  William  Longly, 
&  east  with  the  town's  vpland. 

Decem.  2,  1664.  Revised,  aproved,  &  confirmed  by  the  Select- 
men, according  to  order  [of  the]  towne,  provided  y'  if  the  nine 
a[cres]  .  .  .  South  Brook  is  to  be  twenty  ...  as  is  reported  .  .  . 

Thomas  Tarbole  doth  consent,  that  if  the  towne  make  it  vp  nine 
acres  of  moable  medow,  they  may  dispose  of  the  remainder, 

December  27,  1664.     It  was  this  daye  voated  and  granted,  and 

is-herby   declared,  y'  Thomas   Tarbole   shall   hencforth  quiately 

posese  and  inioy  all  his  medow  acording  as  it  was  layd  out  by  the 

suruayers,  not  withstanding  any  former  agremente  to  the  contrarey. 

James  Fiske,  in  the  name  of  the  town. 


152  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 


THE  LANDS   OF   THOMAS   TARBALL,   SENIOR. 

1.  Medow.  Thre  acres,  more  or  lesse,  lyeing  at  Cow  Pond 
Brook,  bounded  south  with  John  Page,  and  on  all  other  poynts 
with  the  town's  vplands,  which  medow  he  had  by  way  of  exchang 
with  John  Prestcoat. 

2.  Vpland.  Seaventeene  acres,  mor  or  lesse,  bounded  south 
east  sid  of  Sandy  Pond,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's 
comons. 

These  two  last  psells  of  land  are  annulle,  and  to  be  accounted 
noe  record. 

THE   LANDS    OF   THOMAS   TARBALL,    SENIOR. 

1.  Medow.  Three  acres  and  a  halfe,  mor  or  lesse,  lyeing  at 
Cowpond  Brook,  bounded  south  with  John  Page,  and  on  all  other 
poynts  with  the  town's  vplands ;  which  medow  he  had  by  way  of 
exchang  with  John  Prescoat  for  three  acres  and  a  half  in  South 
Medow. 

2.  Vplands.  Seauenteene  acres,  more  or  lesse,  lyeing  vp  on  the 
south  east  sid  of  Sandy  Pond,  bounded  northeast  with  the  way 
that  goe  to  Long  Medow,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's 
comon. 

Neare  Sandy  Pond,  seauenteene  acres,  mor  or  lesse,  bounded  on 
the  north  east  corner  with  the  high  way,  and  on  all  other  poynts 
with  the  towne's  common. 

Vpland.  Nine  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  with  the  lands  of 
Nathaniell  Lawrance  westnortherly,  and  westsoutherly  with  the 
land  of  Nicolas  Cady,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's 
coiuons ;  which  nine  acres  hee  haue  of  Serg.  James  Parker,  by  way 
of  exchang  for  the  sixe  acres  that  was  Simon  Stone's  in  the  Generall 
Feild,  and  four  pound  more  which  is  to  be  payd  in  building  betwixt 
this  and  May  day  next. 


THE   LANDS    OF   JONATHAN   CRISP. 

1.  His  Vplands.  And  ffirst,  his  houslot,  twenty  &  eight  acres, 
(with  an  addityon  therevnto,)  more  or  lesse,  bounded  south  with  the 
land   of  Christopher   Halle,  north  with  the  town's   comon   &  the 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  153 

land  belonging  to  the  minestry,  east  with  the  hie-way,  west  with 
the  town's  comon. 

2.  In  the  Generall  Field,  three  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded 
east  &  west  with  y^  hie-wayes,  south  w'  y*  land  of  James  Parker, 
north  w'  y*  land  of  Samuell  Davis. 

2.  His  Medow.  And  ffirst,  in  fflaggy  Medow,  fiue  acres,  more  or 
lesse,  bounded  south  with  y°  medow  of  James  Parker,  east  with  the 
medow  of  Christopher  Halle,  &  on  all  other  poynts  w'  y*  town's 
comon. 

2.  At  Massabogue  Brooke,  three  acres,  more  or  lesse,  lying  on 
both  sides  of  the  brooke,  bounded  north  with  the  medow  of 
James  Parker,  &  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  comon. 

3.  In  Angle  Medow,  two  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  south- 
easterly with  y*  medow  of  Ralph  Reede,  north  with  the  medow  of 
James  ffisk,  east  &  west  with  the  town's  comon. 

Desember  27,  1664.  Compeared  and  aproued  by  the  Select 
men,  in  the  nam  and  with  the  consente  of  the  towne. 


THE   LANDS   OF   SERGEANT  JAMES   PARKER. 

1.  His  Vplands.  And  ffirst,  his  hous-lot  with  that  which  ad- 
joyns  to  it,  fifty  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  southward  with  the  land 
that  belongs  to  the  minestry,  esterly  and  northerly  with  the  Create 
Half-moone  Medow  and  with  Broade  Medow,  westerly  by  John 
Nutting's  vpland,  northerly  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  hie-way. 

2.  fforty  &  six  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  west  with  the 
vpland  of  William  Lakin,  south  east  with  the  land  belonging  to  y* 
minestry,  north  with  the  land  of  Joseph  Parker,  and  on  all  other 
poynts  with  the  town's  comon. 

3.  Sixteene  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  south  east  with  the  vp- 
land of  James  ffisk,  south  west  with  the  vpland  of  Jacob  Onge,  north 
west  with  the  vpland  of  Samuell  Woods  &  William  Greene  &  James 
Parker,  &  on  all  other  poynts  on  comon  land. 

4.  Eleven  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  north  east  with  the  land 
of  William  Greene,  south  east  with  the  vplands  of  Jacob  Onge,  &  on 
all  other  poynts  w"*  the  comon. 

5.  ffiue  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  southerly  with  y®  vplands  of 
John  Nuttin,  &  on  all  other  poynts  w'  y^  hie  way. 


154  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

6.  Two  acres  of  swamp,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  north  with  the 
land  of  William  Lakin,  south  west  with  the  land  of  Thomas  Williams, 
&  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  towne  comon. 

7.  In  the  Generall  Field,  seaven  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded 
esterly  with  the  with  the  [sic]  land  of  Jonathan  Crisp,  west  with  the 
lands  of  James  Roberts,  &  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  hie  wayes. 

8.  Ten  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  with  the  land  of  John  Lakin, 
west  with  the  land  of  Joseph  Blud,  &  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  hie 
wayes. 

9.  One  acre  of  swamp,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  north  west  with  the 
medow  of  John  Laranc  &  with  the  swamp  of  Joseph  Laranc,  &  on 
all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  swamp  &  vpland. 

10.  ffiue  acres  of  swamp  &  vpland,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  east 
with  the  lands  of  James  Parker,  north-westerly  with  the  medow  of 
John  Laranc,  south  with  the  vpland  of  Jacob  Onge,  east  with  the 
swamp  of  William  Greene,  &  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's 
vpland. 

2.  fft's  Medowes.  And  flfirst,  in  the  Create  Halfe-moone  Medow, 
medow  &  swamp  fifteene  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  north  east 
with  the  medow  belonging  to  y*  minestry,  &  with  the  medow  of 
William  Lakin,  north  with  the  medow  of  Joseph  Gilson,  Timothy 
Allen,  &  the  minestry,  south  easterly  vpon  the  medow  of  John 
Larance  &  the  town's  vpland,  &  on  all  other  poynts  vpon  the  vpland 
of  James  Parker. 

2.  In  Broade  Medow,  fine  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  north- 
erly with  the  medow  of  John  Nuttin,  westerly  with  the  medow  of 
Benj amine  Garfield,  Christopher  Halle,  Joseph  Parker,  John  Page, 
&  James  Parker,  on  the  west  and  south  with  the  medow  belong- 
ing to  the  minestry,  east  with  the  vpland  of  James  Parker. 

3.  One  acre  &  a  halfe  in  Broade  Medow,  bounded  on  the 
north  with  y^  medow  of  Joseph  Parker,  on  the  south  with  the 
medow  of  John  Page,  on  the  east  w'  y^  mddow  of  James  Parker, 
&  on  the  west  with  the  town's  vpland.  This  also  is  an  acre  by 
estimation,  more  or  lesse,  &  a  halfe  should  haue  been  said  as  in 
the  premises. 

4.  Six  acres,  more  or  lesse,  lying  in  Massaboge  Medow,  bounded 
on  the  north  west  with  the  medow  of  Jonathan  Crisp,  southerly  by 
the  river,  &  on  all  other  poynts  w^  y^  town's  vpland. 

[5.]     In  ffiaggy  Medow,   three  acres,  more  or   lesse,  bounded 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  155 

southerly  with  y*  medow  of  Walter  Skinner,  northerly  with  the 
medow  of  Jonathan  Crisp,  &  on  all  other  poynts  w'  y^  town's 
vpland. 

6.  In  Angle  Medow,  ffiue  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  esterly 
with  the  medow  of  Joseph  Parker,  south  westerly  with  the  medow 
of  John  Straton,  &  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  vp-land. 

7.  In  the  Create  fflaggy  Medow,  fower  acres,  more  or  lesse, 
bounded  westerly  with  the  medow  of  Christopher  Halle,  north  west 
with  the  medow  of  James  Parker,  &  all  other  poynts  with  the 
town's  vpland. 

8.  In  Spang  Medow,  fiue  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  on  the 
east  with  the  medow  of  Thomas  Tarbole,  Senio',  north  east  with  the 
land  of  Timothy  Allen  and  with  Vnqete-norset  Brook,  on  the  east 
&  north  west  &  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  vp-land. 

9.  In  the  Burnt  Medowes,  lying  in  three  parcells,  in  the  one 
parcell,  seauen  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  north  w'  y^  medow  of 
Richard  Sawtell,  &  on  all  other  poynts  with  y^  town's  vpland. 
The  second  parcell  is  fiue  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  on  the 
west  with  y°  medow  of  Richard  Sawtell,  &  on  all  other  .  .  . 

10.  Twelue  acres  of  vpland,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  on  the 
south  west  with  the  lands  of  John  Laranc,  Senio',  &  on  all  other 
poynts  with  the  town's  comon.  This  lieth  on  the  north-east  end  of 
Gibbet  Hill. 

11.  In  Create  fflaggy  Medow,  three  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded 
southerly  with  the  medow  of  Christopher  Halle,  south-east  w'  y® 
medow  of  James  Parker,  &  on  all  other  poynts  w'  y^  town's 
vpland. 

12.  In  Angle  Medow,  four  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  with  y* 
medow  of  Jonathan  Crisp  southerlj',  and  on  all  other  poynts  with 
the  town's  vpland. 

13.  In  Maple  Medow,  two  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  south- 
erly with  the  medow  of  Justinian  Holdin,  northerly  w'  the  medow 
of  Walter  Skinner,  &  on  all  other  poynts  w'  the  town's  vpland. 

14.  At  Vnquetenorset  Brooke,  lying  on  both  sides  of  it,  two 
acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  with  the  medow  of  Joshua  Whitney 
south  easterly,  &  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  vpland. 

15.  In  Prety  Medow,  four  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  west 
&  north  with  the  medow  of  Joseph  Parker,  &  on  all  other 
poynts  with  y^  town's  vpland. 


156  EARLY   RECORDS    OF 

16.  In  Spang  Medow,  four  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  east 
y*  medow  of  John  Nuttin,  north  with  the  medow  of  Ellis  Baron, 
west  with  the  medow  of  James  Parker,  &  on  all  other  poynts 
with  the  town's  vpland. 

Reuised,  aproued,  &  confirmed  by  y°  Select  men,  acording  to 
order  of  towne. 

[In  the  handwriting  of  Richard  Sawtell,  Town  Clerk,  1662-166^.  The  last 
four  sections  have  been  crossed  out,  by  drawing  lines  through  them.] 

THE    LANDS   OF  JAMES   PARKER. 

1.  ffirst,  his  vpland.  Eighteene  acres,  more  or  lesse,  lying  on 
the  north  side  of  Browne  Loafe  Hill,  bounded  on  all  points  with 
the  town's  commons.  Two  and  twenty  acres,  more  or  \sic\  lying 
at  Baddicock,  bounded  partly  by  the  lands  of  Samuell  Woods,  west- 
wardly  &  on  all  other  points  with  the  town's  common.  Seauen- 
teen  acres,  more  or  lesse,  lying  on  the  east  side  of  the  pond  called 
Goodman  Martin's  Pond,  bounded  on  all  other  points  with  the 
town's  common. 

2.  Nine  acres,  more  or  less,  bounded  with  the  lands  of  Nathan- 
iell  Lawrenc  west  northerly,  west  southwardly  with  the  lands  of 
John  Clary,  &  on  all  other  points  with  the  town's  commons. 

I.  His  Meadow,  ffirst,  two  acres,  more  or  lesse,  in  Plaine  Med- 
ow, bounded  northwest  by  the  meadow  of  William  Martin,  south 
east  with  the  meadow  of  John  Stratton,  &  on  all  other  points 
with  the  town's  vplands. 

Three  acres,  more  or  lesse,  of  meadow  &  vpland,  lying  on  the 
south  side  of  John  Lawrence,  his  house  lot,  bounded  by  the  swampe 
and  vpland  of  Nathaniell  Lawrence,  westerly  [so]uthwardly  by  the 
swamp  and  vpland  of  James  Parker,  [eas]terly  by  the  swamp  of 
Sam  Woods,  &  on  all  other  [points]  with  the  town's  common. 

[Rev]ised,  alowed,  &  confirmed  by  the  Select  [men]  accord- 
ing to  the  order  of  the  towne. 

6*  5",  1666. 

THE   LANDS   OF  SERGENT  JAMES   PARKER. 

I.  Of  Vpland.  Fifteene  acres,  mor  or  lesse,  lyeing  in  two  psells, 
one  psell  bounded  north  and  east  with  Nathaniell  Lawrance,  and  on 
all  other  poynts  on  the  town's  common,  the  other  psell  bounded  south 


GROTON,    MASSACHUSETTS.  157 

with  the  lands  of  Nathaniell  Lawrance,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with 
the  land  of  James  Parker  and  the  town's  common. 

I.  In  Medow.  In  Prouidence  Medow,  three  acres,  mor  or  lesse, 
bounded  north  with  the  land  and  medow  of  Nathaniell  Lawrance, 
south  with  the  land  of  Samvell  Woods,  east  by  the  town's  common, 
west  with  James  Parker. 

2'.'  Two  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  west  with  Samvell  Woods, 
and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  vplands. 

3'.''  Three  acres,  mor  or  lesse,  lyeing  on  both  sids  of  Brown  Loafe 
Brooke,  bounded  north  with  M^  Samvell  Willard,  west  with  Pelleg 
Lawrance,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  vpland. 

Revised,  compared,  and  confirmed  by  the  Select  men,  according  to 
the  order  of  the  towne. 

John  Morse,  Clark,  Novem.  25,  i6[7o]. 

THE  LANDS  OF   SERG.   JAMES  PARK[er]. 

1.  All  the  coinon  land  that  lye  on  the  west  and  north  west  sid  of 
Gibbet  Hill,  be  it  more  or  lesse,  bounded  southerly  with  that  peice 
that  was  the  widow  Lawrance's,  and  ptly  with  the  town's  land  that  lye 
by  the  side  of  Nathaniell  Lawrance's  houslot,  and  northerly  by  the 
high  way  that  leadeth  from  the  bridge  into  Badacock  Woods,  west 
northerly  by  the  high  way  that  goe  from  the  bridge  ouer  to  Serg. 
William  Lakin's,  and  on  all  other  po)Tits  with  the  land  of  the  sd  Serg. 
James  Parker's. 

2.  Ten  acres,  more  or  lesse,  that  was  the  widdow  Lawrance's  land, 
bounded  southerly  with  the  land  of  Natha[niel]  Lawrance  and  Robert 
Parish,  easterly  with  the  hye  way  that  run  from  Parish's  land  and 
thorow  Nath.  La\vrance's  vp  to  Joseph  Lawrance's  land,  and  on  all 
other  poynts  by  the  land  of  Sergent  Parker. 

3'?'  Twelue  acres,  more  or  lesse,  lyeing  on  the  northeast  sid  of  Gib- 
bet Hill,  bounded  southerly  with  the  land  of  Nathaniell  Lawrance,  and 
easterly  with  the  land  of  Nathaniell  Lawrance's,  westerly  with  his  owne 
land,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  hye  way,  and  near  the 
pond. 

Revised,  compared,  and  confirmed  by  the  sselect  men,  according  to 

the  order  of  the  towne. 

John  Morsse,  Clark ,  Janvary  18,  1671. 


IS8  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 


THE   LANDS   OF   SERGENT  JAMES  PARKER. 

1.  His Medoivs.  In  Plaine  Medow,  three  acres,  more  or  lesse,  that 
was  laid  out  to  James  Knop  in  the  second  division,  east  with  William 
Martin,  west  with  the  medow  of  James  Parker,  and  on  all  other 
poynts  with  the  town's  vplands. 

2.  In  Round  Medow,  two  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  southeast 
with  John  Nutten,  northerly  with  William  Greene,  and  on  all  other 
poynts  with  the  town's  vplands. 

3.  Two  acres  and  a  halfe,  more  or  lesse,  in  a  medow  called  fflaxe 
Medow,  bounded  on  all  poynts  with  the  town's  vplands. 

4.  In  Little  Bucke  Medow,  halfe  an  acre,  mor  or  lesse,  bounded 
northeast  with  the  medow  of  Simon  Stone,  and  on  all  other  poynts 
with  the  town's  vplands. 

5.  In  Buck  Medow  Spang,  two  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  west 
with  Joseph  Parker,  east  with  Nathaniell  Blood,  and  north  and  south 
with  the  town's  vplands. 

6.  In  New  Angle  Medow,  one  acre,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  south 
with  William  Longly,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  countrey's 
vplands  and  medows. 

7.  In  Reedy  Medow,  one  acre,  mor  or  lesse,  bounded  east  with 
Rich**  Blood,  west  with  William  Elvee,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with 
the  town's  swamp  and  vplands. 

8.  In  Great  Halfe-moone  Medow,  two  acres,  mor  or  lesse,  layd  out 
to  Joseph  Gilson  in  his  first  division,  bounded  west  by  Timothy  Allen, 
northeast  with  the  smithe's  medow,  south  with  the  medow  of  James 
Parker,  William  Lakin,  and  the  town's  vplands,  north  with  the  vplands 
of  James  Parker. 

9.  In  Great  Half-moone  Medow,  two  acres,  mor  or  lesse,  layd  out 
to  the  ministry  in  his  first  division,  bounded  east  with  the  medow  of 
Timothy  Allen,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  his  own  medows  and 
vplands. 

10.  One  acre,  more  or  lesse,  at  Weauer's  Medow,  bounded  north- 
west with  Joseph  Parker,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  vp- 
lands ;  which  acre  James  Parker  had  of  Joseph  Morsse  for  that  in 
Great  fflagy  Medow. 

Revised,  compared,  and  confirmed  by  the  Select  men,  accor[ding] 
to  the  order  of  the  towne. 

John  Morse,  Clark,  Janev.  .  .  . 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  1 59 

A  bargain  and  exchang  of  lands  between  Sergent  James  Parker 
and  Joseph  Morse. 

Three  acres  of  medow,  more  or  lesse,  in  fflagy  Medow,  bounded 
west  southerly  with  Christopher  Hall  and  Jonathans  Crisp's  medowes 
and  the  town's  vplands,  east  and  north  with  the  medowes  of  James 
Parker,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  vplands ;  the  which 
medow  Joseph  Morse  had  of  the  s^  James  Parker  by  way  of  exchang 
and  purchase,  for  which  parsell  of  medow  the  aforsaid  Joseph  Morse 
is  to  pa  .  .  .  like  charges  hence  forward. 

Revised,  compared,  and  con[firmed]  by  the  Select  men,  acording 
[to]  order  of  the  towne. 

[In  the  handwriting  of  John  Morse,  Town  Clerk,  1670-1676,  1680, 1681.] 


THE  LANDS  OF  RALPH  REEDE. 

1.  Ifis  Vplands.  And  ffirst,  his  hous  lot  with  som  addition, 
twenty  &  one  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  south  &  east  with 
the  hie-way,  north  with  y*  land  of  Daniell  Pierce,  west  on  the  town's 
comon  land. 

2.  Thirteene  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  west  on  James  his 
brooke,  north  with  the  land  of  Daniell  Pierce,  east  &  south  with 
the  town's  comon  land. 

2.  His  Medows.  And  ffirst,  in  Broade  Medow,  three  acres,  more 
or  lesse,  bounded  south  with  the  medow  of  Daniell  Pierce,  north 
with  the  medow  of  Ellis  Baron,  east  w'^''  y^  vpland  of  Richard  Saw- 
tell,  west  with  the  town's  comon. 

2.  In  Pine  Medow,  six  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  southwest 
w"'  the  medow  of  Daniell  Metup,  north-east  w'  y*"  medow  of  James 
Knop  &  Ellis  Baron,  one  or  both  of  them,  west  with  the  town's 
comon. 

3.  In  Long  Medow,  two  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  east  on 
Comon  Medow,  west  w'  y^  medow  of  Richard  Holdin,  north  & 
south  with  y"  town's  comon. 

4.  In  y^  Little  Halfe-moone  Medow,  two  acres  &  a  halfe,  more 
or  lesse,  bounded  north  with  the  medow  of  Ellis  Baron,  east  W 
Richard  Holdin,  south  &  west  with  comon  land. 

5.  In  the  Cow-pond  Medow,  one  acre  &  a  halfe,  more  or  lesse, 
bounded  with  the  medow  of  James  Knop,  &  the  town's  vpland. 


l60  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

6.  In  Angle  Medow,  three  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  north 
easterly  with  y'  medow  of  John  Stratton,  west  southerly  with  the 
medow  of  Jonathan  Crisp,  &  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's 
vpland. 

More  Vplands.  Ten  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  east  north- 
erly with  the  lands  of  Samuell  Davis,  northwesterly  with  John  Page 
his  land,  &  on  all  other  poynts  w"'  y'  town's  comon. 

2.  Seaven  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  northerly  with  the 
land  of  John  Mos,  easterly  with  the  lands  of  Daniell  Pierce,  Richard 
Holdin,  &  Ralph  Reede,  and  vpon  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's 
corhon. 

3.  In  the  Generall  Field,  fiue  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  east 
with  the  lands  of  Thomas  Tarbole,  Junio',  west  with  the  land  of 
Jacob  Onge,  south  with  James  his  brooke,  north  with  y'  hie-way. 

[In  the  handwriting  of  Richard  Sawtell,  Town  Clerk,  1662-166^] 


THE  LANDS  OF  JAMES  ROBERTS. 

And  first,  his  Medowes.  And  first,  in  Spring  Medow,  flue  acres, 
more  or  lesse,  bounded  on  all  poynts  with  the  town's  vpland. 

2.  In  Sedg  Medow,  two  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  on  all 
poynts  w*  y*  town's  vpland. 

3.  In  Sallo  Medow,  one  acre  &  a  halfe,  more  or  lesse,  lying  in 
two  parcells  or  spongs  near,  bounded  on  all  poynts  w'  y*  town's 
vpland. 

4.  In  Sargeant's  Field  Medow,  one  acre,  more  or  lesse,  bounded 
easterly  w'  y''  medow  of  Allexander  Rouse,  &  on  all  other  poynts 
w'  y'  town's  vpland. 

2.  Secondly,  his  Vpland.  And  first,  his  house-lot  w*  som  adition 
there  vnto,  twenty  &  four  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  north  & 
south  w*  y'  land  of  Joseph  Parker,  &  on  all  other  poynts  with  the 
town's  comon. 

In  the  Generall  Field,  two  acres  &  a  halfe,  more  or  lesse, 
bounded  westerly  with  the  land  of  James  Parker,  easterly  w» 
the  land  of  Jonathan  Crisp,  &  on  all  other  poynts  with  the 
hiewayes. 

[In  the  handwriting  of  Richard  Sawtell,  Town  Clerk,  i662-i66y] 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  l6r 


THE  LANDS   OF  JAMES   FISK. 

1.  His  Vplands.  And  ffirst,  his  house  lot,  with  som  addition 
there  vnto,  thirty  and  two  acres  &  halfe,  more  or  lesse,  bounded 
north  esterly  with  the  land  of  Samuell  Woods,  esterly  with  the  land 
of  Joseph  Laranc,  &  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  comon 
and  the  hie-way. 

2.  Seaven  acres  &  a  halfe,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  south  west- 
erly with  the  land  of  Richard  Sawtell,  south  est  with  the  land  of 
James  ffisk,  &  vpon  all  other  poynts  with  y*  land  of  Richard 
Sawtell  and  the  hie-waies. 

3.  Nineteene  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  north  with  the  land 
of  James  Parker,  south  west  with  the  land  of  Joshua  Whitny  & 
Jacob  Onge,  &  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  comon. 

4.  In  the  Generall  Field,  seaven  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded 
south  with  land  of  John  Lawranc,  north  with  the  land  of  Daniell 
Metup,  west  with  the  river,  east  with  the  hie  way. 

2.  His  Medowes.  And  ffirst,  his  Home  Medow,  eight  acres, 
more  or  lesse,  bounded  south  esterly  with  the  vpland  of  John 
Clary  &  the  hie  way,  south  west  with  the  land  of  Ellis  Baron, 
Thomas  Tarbole,  Senio'',  and  Richard  Sawtell,  &  againe  south 
east  and  south  west  vpon  the  land  of  Richard  Sawtell,  &  vpon 
all  other  poynts  with  the  vpland  of  James  ffisk  and  the  hie  way. 

2.  In  Cow-pond  Medow,  seaven  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded 
south  west  with  the  medow  of  John  Lawranc,  Senio',  north  east 
with  the  medow  of  John  Clary,  &  vpon  all  other  poynts  with  the 
river  &  town's  vpland. 

3.  In  East  Medow,  fine  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  with  John 
Clary  his  medow,  &  on  the  town's  vpland. 

4.  ffower  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  south-westerly  with  the 
medow  of  Jonathan  Crisp,  north  with  the  medow  of  Joseph  Parker, 
&  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  vpland.  This  medow  is 
alienated  for  the  2  acres  specified  in  the  new  book  at  Burnt 
Medow. 

5.  One  acre  of  swamp,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  south  easterly 
with  the  vpland  of  Joh  .  .  .  south  westerly  with  the  swamp  of  Ellis 
Baron,  north  westerly  with  the  medow  of  James  ffisk,  north  esterly 
with  the  hieway. 


l62  EARLY   RECORDS    OF 

The  lands  of  James  ffisk.  Some  of  these  pcejls  being  altered  & 
some  aditions  before  confirmed  and  transcribed  into  another  page, 
by  which  these  aboue  are  not  to  be  accorded  as  any  record : 

ffurst,  his  house  lot  with  the  addition  there  vnto,  two  acres  and  a 
halfe,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  north  [westjerly  with  the  land  of  Saiii 
Woods,  easterly  with  [«V]  of  Nathaniel!  Lawrance  &  on  the  lands 
of  John  Clary,  south  eastwardly  and  on  the  south  west  with  the 
countrey  hy  way. 

[2.]  Eleauen  acres  and  a  halfe,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  south  west- 
ward with  with  [j^V]  the  lands  of  Richard  Sawtill,  and  south  west 
with  his  owne  meadow  and  vpon  all  other  points  with  the  lands  of 
Richard  Sawtill  and  the  hy  way  waies. 

3.  Thirty  eight  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  south  west  with 
the  lands  of  Joshua  Whittney  &  Jacob  Onge,  north  with  the  hy 
way,  &  on  all  other  points  with  the  town's  comon. 

1.  His  Meadows,  ffirst,  his  Home  Meadow,  eight  acres,  more 
or  lesse,  bounded  south  easterly  with  the  vpland  of  John  Clary, 
south  the  hie  way,  south  west  with  the  lands  of  Ellis  Barron, 
Thomas  Tarbell,  Senior,  &  Richard  Sawtill,  &  againe  south  west 
with  the  lands  of  Richard  Sawtill,  north  with  his  owne  vpland  and 
the  country  hie  way  lying  northeast. 

2.  In  the  Cow  Pond  Meadow,  seauen  acres,  bounded  south- 
wardly with  the  meadow  of  John  Lawrence,  Senior,  northeast  with 
the  meadow  of  John  Clary,  &  on  all  other  points  with  the  brook 
and  town's  commons. 

3.  In  the  East  Meadow,  fiue  acres,  more  or  less,  bounded  with 
the  meadow  of  John  Clary  and  on  the  vplands. 

[4.]  In  Burnt  Meadow,  two  acres,  more  or  lesse,  one  of  which 
bounded  eastwardly  with  the  meadow  of  Richard  Sawtill,  &  on  all 
other  points  with  the  town's  lands ;  the  other  acre  bounded  south- 
west with  the  meadow  of  Thomas  Tarball,  Junior,  &  on  all  other 
points  with  the  town's  vpland. 

5,  One  acre  of  swamp  land,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  eastwardly 
with  the  land  of  John  Clar)%  southwestwardly  with  the  lands  of 
Ellis  Barron,  north  easterly  with  the  hie  way,  &  adioyning  to  his 
owne  meadow  northerly. 

Reuised  and  alowed  and  confirmed  by  the  Selectmen,  according 
to  the  order  of  the  towne,  6"^  5""°,  1666. 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  163 


THE   MEDOW   OF  JAMES    FISKE. 

Fiue  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  easterdly  with  the  brok,  by 
Nicolas  Cady,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  vplands ; 
and  on  the  west  side  of  the  brok,  a  litle  psell  of  medow  lyeing  by 
it  self  vndeuided,  of  about  an  acre  half  of  it  James  flSske's  this 
.  .  .  with  the  consent  of  .  .  . 

[One  line  torn  and  illegible.] 

THE   LANDS   OF  JAMES    FISK. 

1.  At  Jebite  Hill,  sixe  acres  of  vpland  and  swamp,  more  or  lesse, 
bounded  west  and  south  with  the  town's  hye-way,  east  with  the 
lands  of  Jacob  Ong,  and  north  with  the  lands  of  William  Longley, 
Senior. 

2.  Towards  the  mill,  fifteen  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  north 
west  with  the  land  of  Daniell  Pearsse,  south  east  with  the  lands  of 
Ellis  Barron,  westerly  by  the  hye  way,  and  easterly  with  the  town's 
comon. 

3.  Vpon  Brownloafe  Pla3aie,  foure  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded 
easterly  with  the  hye  way  that  goe  vnder  Brownloaf  Hill,  southeast- 
erly with  the  lands  of  Cap'.  Parker  and  the  hye  way  that  goe  from 
Thomas  Boydon,  and  west  with  his  owne  lands. 

4.  A  skirt  of  land  of  one  acre,  more  or  lesse,  lyeing  on  the 
south  west  side  of  his  own  Cowpond  Medow,  and  bounded  on  the 
east  with  his  own  medow,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's 
comon. 

5.  Thirty  one  acres,  more  or  lesse,  lyeing  of  the  south  side  of 
Way  Pond,  neare  to  Simon  Stone's  medow,  bounded  south  east 
p'ly  with  the  lands  of  Simon  Stone  and  ptly  with  the  lands  of  John 
Page,  northwest  taking  in  a  corner  of  medow  lyeing  by  Richard 
Sawtell's  patches,  and  on  all  other  poynts  by  the  town's  comon. 

6.  One  acre,  more  or  less,  lyeing  on  the  east  side  of  the  swamp 
of  Thomas  Tarball,  Seni.,  bounded  southeasterly  with  Ellis  Bar- 
ron, north  westerly  with  Richard  Sawtell,  south  with  the  swamp  of 
Thomas  Tarball,  the  line  running  from  the  bound  tree  that  stand  by 
the  line  of  Ellis  Barron  that  stand  close  by  the  swamp,  to  the  corner 
tree  that  stand  by  the  line  of  Richard  Sawtell  next  the  swamp,  also 
east  with  his  owne  medow ;  which  acer  of  land  he  had  of  the  sd 


l64  EARLY   RECORDS    OF 


Thomas  Tarball  by  way  of  exchange  for  three  acres  of  land  in 

the  last  diuision.     Which  acre  of  land,  I,  the  sd  Thomas  Tarball, 

do  alienate  and   bequeath  to  the  aboue  sd  James  Fisk,  Seni.,  to 

his  heires  and  assigns  foreuer.     In  witness  wheirof  I  haue  set  to 

my  hand. 

[These  last  two  sections  have  been  crossed  out.] 


THE  LANDS   OF  JAMES   KNAPP. 

I.  Upland,  ffirst,  to  his  house  adioning,  lo  acres,  more  or 
lesse,  bounded  east  with  y*  hy  way,  west  with  the  end  of  Broad 
Meadow,  south  with  Ellis  Barron,  and  north  with  Thomas  Tarball, 
Senior. 

[2.]  Thirty  acres  and  one,  more  or  less,  bounded  [with]  the 
hyway,  south  with  Ellis,  north  east  with  John  Clary  &  Ellis  Barron, 
&  againe  noth  westerly  with  Ellis  &  Thomas  Tarball,  Senl. 

3.  ffiue  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  with  John  Mosse  west, 
north,  &  north  west  with  towne  land,  north  east  &  east  with  the 
hy  way,  south  with  Ellis  Barron. 

4.  ffiue  acres,  more  or  lesse,  in  the  Generall  Feild,  being  the 
thirteenth  lot,  bounded  north  with  the  high  way,  east  with  Joseph 
Parker,  south  with  John  Mosse,  west  with  Richard  Blood. 

Meadow,  ffirst,  in  Litle  Halfe  Moone,  two  acres  &  a  halfe, 
more  or  lesse,  bounded  north  with  the  a  hy  way,  east  with  Richard 
Sawtill,  south  with  the  swampe  &  pond,  west  with  Daniell  Pearse. 

[2.]  Three  acres  &  a  halfe,  more  or  lesse,  lying  in  Pine  Meadow, 
bounded  west  with  Samuell  Dauis,  &  on  all  other  points  with  the 
town's  vplands. 

3.  ifour  acres,  more  or  lesse,  in  Brooke  Meadow,  bounded  on 
both  sides  the  brooke  to  Sandy  Pond,  &  on  all  other  pointes  with 
the  towne  vpland  and  swampe. 

4.  In  Long  Meadow,  two  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  east 
with  Thomas  Tarball,  Senior,  &  on  all  other  points  with  the  town's 
vpland. 

5.  Three  acres,  more  or  lesse,  lying  in  Cow  Pond  Meadow, 
bounded  south  with  the  pond,  and  on  all  other  points  with  common 
land. 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  165 

6.  Three  acres,  more  or  lesse,  lying  in  Plaine  Meadow,  bounded 
east  with  William  Martin,  west  with  James  Parker,  north  &  south 
with  the  vplands. 

Alow  a  priuate  way  to  Ellis  Barron,  or  his  [heirs]  euer,  to  driue 
cart  or  cattell  to  his  swamp  [in  t]he  convenientest  place  ouer  the 
brooke  by  [his]  house  ;  and  Ellis  &  his  heires  is  to  make  and 
main[tain]  .  .  .  wne  bars  or  gates  to  that  way  for  their  owne. 

Revised,  alowed,  &  confirmed  by  the  Select  men,  according  [to 
the]  order  of  the  towne,  6*^  5",  1666. 

THE   LANDS   OF   JAMES   KNOP. 

Medow.  I.  Two  acres,  mor  or  lesse,  lyeing  vpon  both  sids  of 
Swane  Brok,  bounded  south  with  Stony  Brook  Pond,  and  north 
with  James  Parker  and  coinon  medow,  and  on  all  other  poynts 
with  the  town's  vplands,  swamp,  and  medow. 

2.  Near  to  Round  Medow,  lyeing  in  the  spungs,  three  acres, 
mor  or  lesse,  bounded  south  with  William  Greene,  and  on  all  other 
poynts  with  the  town's  vpland ;  which  three  acres  I  received  of 
James  Parker  by  way  of  exchang,  for  which  he  had  of  mee  in 
Plaine  Medow,  and  this  Plain  Medow  here  exprest  is  that  exprest 
in  page  20. 

Revised,  compared,  and  confirmed  by  the  Select  men,  according 
to  the  order  of  the  towne. 

John  Morse,  Clark,  Janev.  3,  1669. 


THE  LANDS  OF  ELLIS  BARRON. 

Vplands.  ffirst,  his  house  lott  ordoying  to  his  house  .  .  .  acres, 
more  or  lesse,  bounded  east  with  the  high  way,  south  with  lands  of 
Daniell  Pearse,  west  Broad  Meadow  end  &  the  high  way,  north 
with  James  Knapp. 

2.  Tenne  acres  of  swamp  land,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  west 
southwardly  with  the  lands  of  James  Knapp,  south  eastwardly  with 
the  lands  of  James  Knapp,  northeast  with  the  lands  of  John  Clary, 
northwest  vpon  the  meadow  of  James  ffisk,  and  vpon  the  swampe  of 
Thomas  Tarball,  Seni. 

3.  Twenty  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  west  with  the  hyway 


l66  EARLY  RECORDS   OF 

vpon  James  Brook,  south  with  the  lands  of  Daniell  Pearse,  and  on 
both  sides  of  the  hyway  that  runs  along  to  John  Barrons  his  house, 
part  east  &  pt  south  west  with  the  lands  of  John  Barron,  north 
east  with  the  lands  of  John  Clary,  &  north  with  the  lands  of  James 
Knapp. 

4.  ffiue  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  with  the  lands  of  John 
Mosse,  north  with  the  lands  of  James  Knapp,  east  with  the  hyway, 
&  south  with  the  lands  of  Samuell  Dauis. 

1.  Meadow,  ffirst,  two  acres  in  Litle  Halfe  Moone,more  or 
lesse,  bounded  east  with  the  meadow  of  Thomas  Tarball,  SenI, 
south  with  Daniell  Pearse,  and  on  all  other  points  with  the  vp- 
land. 

2.  Six  acres  of  meadow,  more  or  lesse,  lying  in  Rock  Meadow, 
bounded  north  with  the  meadow  of  Thomas  Boyden,  south  with  the 
meadow  of  John  Barron,  east  and  west  with  the  vpland. 

3.  Spruce  Meadow,  one  acre,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  south  with 
Sandy  Brooke,  and  on  all  other  points  with  the  vpland. 

4.  One  acre,  more  or  less,  lying  in  South  Meadow,  bounded 
east  with  the  meadow  of  Richard  Holdin,  and  on  all  other  points 
with  the  vpland. 

5.  Two  acres,  more  or  lesse,  lying  in  Long  Meadow,  bounded 
east  with  the  meadow  of  Richard  Holdin,  &  west  with  the  meadow 
of  William  Longley,  and  north  and  south  with  the  vplands. 

6.  One  halfe  acre,  more  or  lesse,  lying  in  two  pcells,  bounded 
eastwardly  with  the  meadow  of  Thomas  Tarball,  Senior,  westwardly 
toward  the  swamp,  and  on  all  other  points  with  vplands. 

THE   LANDS   OF    [eLLIS    BARRON]. 

I.  Three  acres,  m[ore  or  less]  .  .  .  meadow,  bounded  south 
.  .  .  James  Parker,  east  with  ...  of  John  Nutting,  west  with  .  .  . 
Brooke,  and  north  with  the  mea[dow  of  Timothy]  Allen,  lo*^  8", 
1665. 

The  towne  granted  to  Ellis  Barron  three  psells  of  meadow,  con- 
taining two  acres,  more  or  lesse,  lying  on  the  south  of  the  Indian 
Hills,  bounded  on  all  points  with  the  town's  vpland  or  common. 

Reuised,  compared,  alowed,  confirmed,  and  that  by  the  Select- 
men, according  to  the  order  of  the  towne,  6""  5"",  1666. 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  167 


[THE   LANDS   OF]    DANIELL   PEARSE. 

[i.]  ...  with  the  addition  of  ffifteene  [acres,  more  or  le]ss, 
bounded  eastwardly  with  the  hy[eway,  north] wardly  with  the  lands 
of  Ellis  Barron,  west[wardly]  with  the  lands  of  James  Knapp  & 
Ellis  Barron,  [and]  on  both  sides  the  hy  way  that  leads  to  Thomas 
Boyden  &  southwardly  with  the  lands  Of  Samuell  Dauis. 

2.  Eleauen  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  westwardly  with  the 
hyway,  south  with  the  lands  of  Samuell  Dauis,  north  with  the  lands 
of  Ellis  Barron,  and  east  with  the  town's  common. 

3.  ffiue  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  west  with  the  lands  of 
Samuell  Dauis,  east  &  south  with  the  lands  of  Samuell  Dauis, 
&  north  with  Ellis  Barron. 

4.  The  iland  lying  within  the  meadow  called  Litle  Halfe 
Moone  Meadow,  bounded  east  with  the  pond,  and  on  all  other 
points  with  the  sd  meadow. 

Meadows,  ffirst,  foure  acres,  more  or  less,  lying  in  Broad  Mead- 
ow, bounded  southward  with  the  lands  of  William  Longley,  north- 
ward with  the  meadow  of  Samuell  Dauis,  east  &  west  with  the 
vplands. 

2.  Two  acres  and  a  halfe,  more  or  lesse,  lying  in  Halfe  Moone 
Meadow,  bounded  east  with  the  meadow  of  James  Knapp,  west 
with  the  meadow  of  Tho.  Tarball,  Senl.,  north  with  the  hyway, 
south  with  his  owne  iland. 

3.  Three  acres  and  a  halfe,  more  or  lesse,  lying  in  South  Mead- 
ow, bounded  south  east  with  Just.  Holdin,  northwest  with  the 
meadow  of  Matthias  ffarnworth,  &  on  all  other  points  with  the 
town's  vplands. 

4.  Two  acres,'  more  or  lesse,  lying  vpon  Cowpond  Brooke, 
bounded  south  with  Samuell  Dauis  his  meadow,  north  with  the 
meadow  of  Thomas  Williams,  east  and  west  with  the  vplands. 

Reuised,  approued,  and  confirmed  by  the  Select  men,  according 

to  the  order  of  the  towne. 

Wiifc  Longley,  6*  5",  1666. 


THE   LANDS  OF  SAMUELL  WOODS. 

His    Vplands.     ffirst,  his   hous  lott,  nine  acres,    more  or  lesse, 
bounded  southerly  with  the  lands  of  James  ffisk,  northerly  with 


l68  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

the  lands  of  Wiii  Greene,  &  easterly  &  westerly  with  the  town's 
and  country  high  wayes. 

2'.'  Eight  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  easterly  with  the  high 
way,  westerly  with  Broad  Meadow,  notherly  with  the  lands  of  WiH 
Greene,  southerly  east  with  the  town's  common. 

3'J^  Thirteene  acres  &  a  halfe,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  with  the 
lands  of  Wilt  Greene,  east  with  the  highway,  southwardly  with  the 
vpland  of  James  Parker  &  with  the  meadow  of  John  Lawrence, 
notherly  with  the  town's  common. 

4'J'  Vpon  Barralock  Hill,  thirteen  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded 
easterly  with  the  land  of  Wiii  Greene,  southwardly  with  Litle  fflaggy 
Meadow,  &  on  all  other  points  with  the  town's  common. 

His  Meadows,  ffirst,  in  Broad  Meadow,  three  acres,  more  or 
lesse,  bounded  north  with  Witi  Greene  lands,  and  southerly  with  the 
meadow  of  Richard  Holdin,  westerly  with  the  meadow  of  James 
Blood,  Nathaniell  Lawrence,  &  John  Morsse,  or  one  of  them, 
easterly  with  the  vpland  [and  the]  woods. 

[Here  follows  a  third  of  a  page,  much  torn.] 
[In  the  handwriting  of  William  Longley,  Town  Clerk,  1666-1667.] 


THE  LANDS  OF  NICOLAS  CADY. 

I.  His  Vplands.  About  his  house,  fifty  one  acre,  more  or  lesse, 
lyeing  on  both  sids  the  countrey  high  way,  the  one  parsell  on  the 
northeast  of  the  highway,  bounded  north  with  James  ffiske,  and  east 
with  James  Parker,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  highway ;  the 
other  part,  on  the  other  sid  of  the  high  way,  bounded  west  with  swamp 
of  James  fiiske,  and  south  west  with  Ellis  Barron,  James  Knop  and 
John  Barron,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  comon. 

1.  His  Medows.  Fiue  acres,  mor  or  lesse,  adjoyningwith  his  lot 
at  horn,  westerly  and  south  easterly  with  Jacob  Onge,  and  on  all 
other  poynts  with  the  town's  comon. 

2.  Fiue  acres  at  Badacock,  mor  or  lesse,  lyeing  on  both  sids 
the  brok,  bounded  southwest  with  James  ffisk,  and  on  all  other 
poynts  with  the  town's  comon. 

3.  At  the  Cow  Pond,  fiue  acres,  mor  or  less,  bounded  south 
west  with  James  ffisk,  south  east  with  the  Cow  Pond  Brook,  north- 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  169 

east  with  John  Page,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  vp- 
lands. 

4.  Two  acres,  mor  or  lesse,  lyeing  on  both  sids  Litle  Massapog 
Brook,  south  with  the  litle  pond  and  Richard  Holden,  northeast 
with  Boston  farmes,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's 
vplands. 

5.  One  acre,  mor  or  lesse,  vpon  the  town's  line  joyning  with 
Cowell's  farme,  east  with  the  towne  line,  north  with  Ellis  Barron, 
and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  comon. 

Revised,  compared,  and  confirmed  by  the  Select  men,  according 
to  the  order  of  the  towne. 

John  Morsse,  3  of  the  ii*^  month,  1669 

THE   MEDOW   OF   NICOLAS   CADY. 

Fiue  acres,  more  or  less,  bounded  by  the  town's  vpland  on  both 
sides  of  the  brok  from  the  falls  to  the  foord  way,  and  aboue  the 
foord  way  vpward  on  the  east  sid  of  the  brook  to  the  pond,  and  on 
the  west  sid  of  the  broke  a  litle  parsell  of  madow  lying  by  it  self  vn- 
devided,  about  an  acre  in  quantity,  half  of  it  to  Nicolus  Cady's. 
This  record  is  entred  with  the  consent  of  both  the  proprietors, 
Aprill  26,  1672. 


THE  LANDS  OF  WILLIAM  ELLUEE. 

I.  His  Vplands.  Twenty  fiue  acres,  mor  or  lesse,  to  his  house 
at  home,  bounded  south  with  Jonathan  Sawtell,  west  with  Richd 
Holden,  east  with  the  highway,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the 
town's  vplands. 

1.  His  Medows.  In  Plaine  Medow,  three  acres,  mor  or  lesse, 
bounded  west  and  northerly  with  James  Parker,  and  on  all  other 
poynts  with  the  town's  vplands. 

2.  In  Reedy  Medow,  two  acres,  mor  or  lesse,  lyeing  in  two 
psells,  bounded  on  the  west  sid  with  the  swamp  at  Reedy  Medow, 
and  bounded  round  with  the  town  swamp  and  vplands. 

3.  In  old  Angle  Medow,  one  acre,  mor  or  lesse,  bounded  south 
west  with  Samvel  Kempe,  and  north  east  with  Samvell  Dauis,  and 
on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  coinon. 


170  EARLY  RECORDS   OF 

4.  One  acre,  mor  or  lesse,  in  the  northermost  spang  of  Buck 
Medow  cooue  [cove  ?],  west  with  Nathaniell  Blood,  east  with  the 
town's  lin,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  vplands. 

Reuised,  compared,  and  confirmed  by  the  Select  men,  according 

to  the  order  of  the  town. 

John  Morsse,  Clark,  Janev.  10,  1669. 


THE  LANDS  OF  JONATHAN  MORSE. 

1.  His  Vplands.  His  house  lot,  twenty  foure  acres,  more  or 
lesse,  bounded  north  with  the  lands  of  Joseph  Morse,  east  with  the 
countrey  high  way,  south  with  Thomas  Tarball,  west  with  the  town's 
vplands. 

2.  Sixteene  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  east  southerly  with 
Christopher  Hall,  north  westerly  with  Joseph  Parker,  and  on  all 
other  poynts  with  the  town's  comons. 

1.  His  Medows.  In  Broad  Medow,  two  acres,  mor  or  lesse, 
bounded  northerly  with  Joseph  Morse,  Walter  Skiner,  and  John 
Barron,  easterly  with  James  Parker,  southerly  with  Joseph  Parker 
and  westerly  with  the  town's  vplands. 

2.  In  Pine  Medow,  foure  acres,  mor  or  lesse,  bounded  north  with 
Joseph  Morse,  south  with  Christopher  Hall,  west  and  east  with  the 
town's  common. 

3.  In  Plaine  Medow,  foure  acres,  mor  or  lesse,  bounded  east 
with  Thomas  Williams,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's 
vplands. 

4.  In  Pretty  Medow,  two  acres,  mor  or  lesse,  bounded  southerly 
with  Joseph  Parker,  and  north  west  with  the  smithe's  medow,  and  on 
all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  vplands. 

5.  In  Cowpond  Medow,  two  acres,  mor  or  lesse,  bounded  north 
with  John  Page,  north  west  with  the  brook,  and  on  all  other  poynts 
with  the  town's  common. 

Revised,  compared,  and  confirmed  by  the  Select  men,  according 
to  the  order  of  the  towne,  Janev.  10,  1669. 

John  Morsse,  Clarke. 

Vpland.  Twenty  sixe  acres  three  quarters,  mor  or  lesse,  vpon 
the  Pine  Playne,  bounded  northerly  with  his  owne  lands,  eastward 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  I71 

with  the  lands  of  Christopher  Hall,  west  with  the  lands  of  Jerimy 
Morsse,  south  with  the  town's  coifion. 

2.  Vpon  Indian  Hill,  three  acres  and  a  quarter,  more  or  lesse, 
bounded  west  with  John  Page,  north  with  Thomas  Boydon,  easterly 
with  the  land  of  Matthias  ffarnworth,  and  southerly  with  the  ends 
of  the  other  lotes,  the  countrey  hye  way  runing  thorow. 

Reuised,  compared,  and  confirmed  by  the  Select  men,  according 
to  the  order  of  the  towne,  Decem.  3,  1673. 

John  Morse. 


THE  LANDS  OF  ZACHERY  SAWTELL. 

His  Vplands.  His  houslot,  with  the  additions,  fifty  acres,  more  or 
lesse,  bounded  south  with  the  lands  of  Jonathan  Crispe,  partly  west 
with  the  lands  of  Joseph  Morsse,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the 
towne's  hieway  and  common. 

1.  His  Medows.  In  Rock  Medow,  foure  acres,  more  or  lesse, 
bounded  south  with  the  medow  of  Nathaniell  Lawrance,  north  with 
John  Barron,  east  and  west  the  towne's  vplands. 

2.  In  Halfe  Moon  Medow,  two  acre  and  a  halfe,  more  or  lesse, 
bounded  westerly  with  the  medow  of  Enosh  Lawrance,  easterly  with 
the  hye  way  that  goe  ouer  to  the  iland,  southerly  by  the  iland,  and 
northerly  by  the  towne's  vplands. 

3.  Neare  the  hawtrees,  two  acres,  more  or  less,  bounded  round 
with  the  swamp  and  town  vplands. 

4.  In  Pretty  Medow,  two  acres  and  a  halfe,  more  or  lesse, 
bounded  east  by  the  medow  of  Jonathan  Morsse,  and  on  all  other 
poynts  by  the  towne's  vplands. 

Reuised,  compared,  and  confirmed  by  the  Sellect  men,  according 

to  the  order  of  the  towne. 

John  Morsse,  No.  18,  1670. 


THE    LANDS    OF    ABRAHAM    PARKER,    LIVING    NOW 
AT   CHELMSFORD. 

I.  Vplands,  sold  to  William  Sanderson.  Twenty  acres,  more  or 
lesse,  bounded  south  westerly  by  the  land  of  Joseph  Gilson,  north 
easterly  by  the  land  of  John  Lakin,  west  northerly  by  the  land  of 
James  Blood,  and  easterly  by  the  towne  high  way. 


1/2  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

2.  Medow.  Seaven  acres,  more  or  lesse,  in  Preety  Medow, 
bounded  west  northerly  by  the  land  of  John  Lakin,  east  south- 
erly by  the  land  of  Joseph  Parker,  and  on  all  other  poynts  by  the 
town's  vplands. 

Revised,  compared,  and  confirmed  by  the  Select  men,  according 
to  the  order  of  the  towne. 

John  Morse,  Clark,  Novem.  25,  1670. 

[This  entry  has  been  crossed  out.] 


THE  LANDS  OF  JOSEPH  LAWRANCE. 

His  Vplands.  First,  twenty  one  acre,  mor  or  lesse,  bounded 
south  west  with  the  land  of  James  Parker,  and  on  all  other  poynts 
on  the  town's  common. 

In  Medow.  Three  acres,  mor  or  lesse,  lyeing  in  Halfe  Moone 
Medow,  bounded  south  by  the  medow  of  James  Parker,  west  by  the 
medow  of  Timothy  Allen,  east  by  the  smith's  medow,  north  by  the 
vpland. 

2'?'  In  Hawtree  Brook,  fine  acres,  more  or  lesse,  lyeing  on  both 
sides  the  brook,  bounded  south  by  the  medow  of  James  Parker  and 
the  high  way,  east  by  the  medow  of  John  Nutten,  north  by  the 
town's  vpland,  and  on  all  other  poynts  by  the  brook,  and  the  town's 
common. 

Reuised,  compared,  and  confirmed  by  the  Select  men,  according 
to  the  order  of  the  towne. 

John  Morsse,  Clark,  26  of  Nouem.  1670. 


THE  LANDS  OF  JOHN  MORSSE. 

1.  His  Vplands.  Twelue  acres,  more  or  lesse,  to  his  ho[use]  lot, 
bounded  north  with  with  \sic\  William  Longley,  east  and  south 
with  James  Knop  and  the  higeweay,  south  with  Samvell  Davis,  and 
west  with  the  countrey  high  way. 

2.  Twenty  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  south  and  west  with 
Samvell  Davis,  and  north  with  William  Longley,  and  east  with  the 
countrey  high  way. 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  173 

3.  Ten  acres,  mor  or  lesse,  lyeing  at  James  Brook,  bounded 
southeast  with  the  way  that  goe  to  James  Brook,  north  with  the  high 
way  that  goe  to  the  Generall  Feild,  and  Samvell  Davis  and  James 
Knop,  west  with  Richd  Holden,  and  on  all  other  poynts  withe  the 
town's  comon. 

1.  His  Medows.  In  Pine  Medow,  nine  acres,  mor  or  lesse, 
bounded  east  with  John  Barron,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the 
town's  common. 

2.  At  Massabog,  two  acres  and  a  half,  mor  or  less,  bounded 
east  with  Christopher  Hall  and  Jackob  Onge,  west  with  Joseph 
Morsse,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  vplands. 

3.  In  Broad  Medow,  one  acre  and  a  quarter,  bounded  northerly 
with  James  Blood,  east  with  Samvell  Woods  and  Richard  Holden, 
south  with  John  Page,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's 
vpland. 

Reuissed,  compared,  and  confirmed  by  the  Select  men,  according 
to  the  town's  order. 

John  Morsse,  Clark,  No.  26,  1670. 


THE  LANDS  OF   JUSTINIAN   HOLDEN,  PURCHASE  OF 
JOHN  LONGLEY,  LYING  IN  TWO  PEICES. 

1.  Vplands.  Ten  acres,  mor  or  lesse,  lying  vp  on  the  west  side 
of  the  hieway,  bounded  north  with  James  his  brook,  and  eastward 
with  the  hye  way,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  comon. 

2.  Two  acres  and  a  halfe,  mor  or  lesse,  lyeing  vpon  the  east  sid 
of  the  hye  way,  bounded  west  with  the  hye  way,  and  east  with 
Matthias  ffarnworth,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's 
common, 

I.  His  Medows.  Fine  acres,  mor  or  lesse,  lyeing  in  South 
Medow,  bounded  southeast  with  John  Prestcode,  northwest  with 
Daniell  Pearse,  south  west  with  William  Longley,  north  east  with 
the  vpland. 

Revised,  compared,  and  confirmed  by  the  Select  men,  according 

to  the  order  of  the  towne. 

John  Morsse,  Clark^  Febr.  17,  1670. 


174  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 


THE  LANDS  OF  SIMON  STONE. 

1.  Vplands.  Fifty  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  north  east 
with  Ralph  Reed,  part  westerly  with  Matthias  ffarnworth,  and  on 
all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  common. 

2.  Sixe  acres,  mor  or  less,  bounded  northwest  with  Matthias 
ffarnworth,  and  southeast  with  Rock  Medow,  and  on  all  other 
poynts  with  the  town's  common. 

3.  In  the  Generall  Field,  sixe  acres  and  a  halfe,  more  or  less, 
bounded  west  with  the  riuer,  north  with  the  high  way,  south  with 
James  his  brook,  east  with  Jonathan  Morsse, 

{The  following  is  interlined^  This  aboue  six  acors  and  ^ 
alnated  to  Captin  Parke  for  other  land. 

1.  His  Medows.  Eight  acres,  mor  or  lesse,  at  Long  Pond, 
bounded  south  with  Long  Pond,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the 
town's  common. 

2.  Six  acres,  mor  or  lesse,  lyeing  neare  Halfe  Pinehill,  bounded 
on  all  poynts  with  the  town's  common. 

3.  Foure  acres,  mor  or  lesse,  lyeing  of  both  sids  the  mill  brook, 
bounded  east  with  Joseph  Blood,  west  with  Matthias  Farnworth, 
north  and  south  with  vpland. 

4.  Three  acres  and  a  halfe,  mor  or  lesse,  lyeing  in  two  spungs  near 
to  Vnquetenorset  Medow,  bounded  east  with  William  Longley,  and 
on  all  other  poynts  with  the  towne's  common. 

5.  Three  acres  and  a  halfe,  lyeing  in  Litle  Buck  Medow,  bound- 
ed east  with  the  towne's  line,  southwest  with  James  Parker,  and  on 
all  other  poynts  with  the  towne's  common. 

Reuised,  compared,  and  confirmed  by  the  Select  men,  according 
to  the  order  of  the  towne. 

John  Morsse,  Clark,  Febr.  17,  1670. 


THE  LANDS  OF  TIMOTHY  ALLEN. 

I.  Vplands.  First,  to  his  houslot,  with  an  addition,  fort}'  acres, 
more  or  lesse,  bounded  south  with  the  lands  of  Walter  Skinner,  west 
with  y*  land  of  Timothy  Cooper,  north  with  the  land  of  Joseph 
Gilson,  and  east  with  the  town's  coiuon,  swamp,  and  hye  way. 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  1/5 

2.  Thirty  eight  acres,  more  or  lesse,  vpon  Chestnut  Hill,  bound- 
ed north  with  the  lands  of  Mr.  Samuell  Willard,  easterly  with  the 
bye  way  neare  to  Christopher  Hall's  medow  and  comon,  south  and 
west  with  the  lands  of  Serg.  James  Parker. 

I.  Medows.  At  Vnquetenorset,  ten  acres,  mor  or  lesse,  bound- 
ed north  with  the  medow  of  Joseph  Parker,  southeast  with  the 
medow  of  Joseph  Gilson,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  towne's 
vplands. 

2*5'  Three  acres,  more  or  lesse,  at  Skull  Roll,  on  both  sides  the 
riuer,  bounded  round  with  the  town's  vpland. 

3'?^  In  Sledge  Medow,  two  acres  and  a  half,  mor  or  lesse,  bound- 
ed north  with  the  medow  of  William  Martin,  and  on  all  other  poynts 
with  the  town's  vplands. 

4'y  At  Massabog,  four  acres,  mor  or  lesse,  bounded  on  the  east 
with  the  medow  of  William  Greene,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with 
the  town's  vpland. 

5'?'  Two  acres  and  a  halfe,  at  Halfe  Moone  Medow,  mor  or 
lesse,  bounded  north  with  the  medow  of  Joseph  Gilson,  east  with 
Sergent  James  Parker,  south  with  the  medow  that  was  Mr.  Samvell 
Willard's,  north  west  with  the  town's  vplands. 

6'^  Two  acres  and  a  halfe,  more  or  lesse,  in  Broad  Medow, 
bounded  north  with  the  medow  of  Mr.  Samvell  Willard,  west  with 
John  Pag,  south  with  Richard  Blood,  east  with  y*  town's  vplands. 

Reuissed,  compared,  and  confirmed  by  the  Sellect  men,  according 
to  the  order  of  the  towne. 

John  Morsse,  No.  11,  167 1. 


THE  LANDS  OF  WILLIAM  MARTIN. 

I.  His  Vplands.  First,  to  his  hous  lot  adjoyning,  sixty  acres, 
more  or  lesse,  bounded  north  by  the  land  of  Serg*.  William  Lakin, 
east  with  the  comon  land,  and  south  with  coinon  land  neare  the 
pond,  and  also  westerly  turning  by  his  owne  medow  till  it  com  to 
the  hyeway  that  goe  down  to  Halfe  Moon  Medow,  and  west  and  pt 
northerly  with  the  hye  way  that  goe  to  Ser.  William  Lakin's  from  the 
meeting  house. 

I.  Medowes.  Eleauen  acres,  more  or  lesse,  lyeing  Halfe  Moone 
Medow,  bounded   south   with   the    town's   land   neare   the  pond, 


176  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

westerly  with  the  towne's  land,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  his  own 
lands. 

2'f  ffiue  acres,  more  or  lesse,  in  Half  Moon  Medow,  bounded 
on  the  east  with  the  medow  of  Nathaniell  Blood,  west  with  Ser. 
Lakin,  north  and  south  with  the  towne's  vplands. 

3'?'  ffour  acres,  more  or  lesse,  in  Plain  Medow,  bounded  west 
with  the  medow  of  Ser.  James  Parker,  east  with  Joseph  Gilson, 
north  and  south  with  the  town's  vpland.  - 

[TAts  section  is  erased,  and  the  following  is  interlined."]  This  rec- 
ord is  defaced  with  the  consent  of  both  partyes. 

4'r  ffiue  acres,  more  or  lesse,  in  Sledg  Medow,  bounded  on  a 
corner  towards  the  west  with  the  medow  of  Timothy  Allen,  and  on 
all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  vplands. 

Wheiras  his  vpland  is  sayd  to  be  sixty,  it  is  seuventy  two. 

Revissed,  compared,  and  confirmed  by  the  Select  men,  according 
to  the  order  of  the  towne. 

John  Morss,  No.  ii,  167 i. 

1.  In  Quasoponagone  Medow,  on  the  other  sid  of  the  riuer, 
sixe  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  south  with  Joshua  Whitney,  and 
on  all  other  poynts  with  the  towne's  swamp  and  vplands. 

2.  In  Accident  Medow,  one  acre,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  north 
with  Thomas  Tarball,  Junior,  south  with  Joshua  Whitney,  and  on 
all  other  poynts  with  the  towne's  vplands. 

3.  One  acre,  lyeing  in  a  spong  of  medow,  caled  Lodge  Medow, 
bounded  round  with  the  towne's  commons,  which  foure  acres  in 
Playne  Medow  is  alienated  to  Sergent  James  Parker,  for  foure  acres 
of  this,  which  was  somtime  sd  Serg.  James  Parker's,  on  the  other 
side  of  the  riuer,  which  foure  acres  is  specified  in  the  town  book 
and  in  his  transcript. 

Revissed,  compared,  and  confirmed  by  the  Sellect  men,  according 
to  the  order  of  the  town. 

John  Morsse,  Febr.  26,  1672. 


THE  LANDS  OF  THOMAS  TARBALL,  JUN'. 

I.     His  houselot,  twenty  foure  acres,  more   or  lesse  (the   first 
diuision),  bounded    south   with   the   town's   hye   way,  north   with 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  I// 

the  lands  of  Jonathan  Morsse,  east  with  Lanchester  hye  way.  In 
the  second  diuision  he  taking  in  the  hye  way  betwixt  Joseph  Blood 
and  himself,  he  doe  alow  a  hye  way  for  the  towne  of  the  same  bredth 
in  the  most  convenient  place  thorow  his  owne  land. 

2.  Eleauen  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  west  Lanchester  hye 
way,  south  with  the  hye  way  to  Broad  Medow,  east  and  north  with 
the  lands  of  Joseph  Parker. 

1.  Medows.  In  Burnt  Medow,  ten  acres,  mor  or  lesse,  bounded 
west,  north  west,  and  north  with  the  brook  and  the  pond,  and  with  the 
medowes  of  Richard  Sawtell,  east  and  northerly  with  the  medowes 
of  James  ffisk,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  vplands. 

2.  In  Quosoponagon  Medow,  on  the  other  side  of  the  riuer,  three 
quarters  of  an  acre,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  north  with  James  ffisk, 
and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  vplands. 

3.  In  Accident  Medow,  halfe  an  acre,  more  or  lesse,  bounded 
northwest  with  the  medow  of  Zachary  Sawtell,  south  with  Captaine 
Parker,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  vplands. 

Reuised,  compared,  and  confirmed  by  the  Sellect  men,  according 
to  the  order  of  the  towne,  Decem.  3,  73. 

John  Morsse,  Clarke. 


THE  LANDS  OF  JOSEPH  MORSSE. 

Medow.  In  fHaggy  Medow,  two  acres  of  medow,  more  or  lesse, 
bounded  southwest  with  the  town's  common,  and  southeast  and 
northeast  with  the  medow  of  the  sd  Joseph  Morsse,  and  north  west 
with  the  medow  of  Christopher  Hall,  which  psell  of  medow  is 
alienated  by  Christopher  Hall  for  one  acre  in  fferney  Medow,  and 
one  acre  in  Spot  Medow,  which  was  somtimes  the  medow  of  the  sd 
Joseph  Morsse,  as  is  specified  in  the  record  of  the  sd  Christopher 
Hall's,  vnto  the  which  alienation  the  wlues  of  them  both  giue  their 
consent  to  the  giuing  vp  their  thirds. 

1.  Neare  the  fordway.  Vpon  the  Pine  Plaine,  twenty  seauen 
acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  southeast  by  Jerimy  Morsse,  west- 
erly by  Richard  Blood  and  Joseph  Parker,  northeast  with  the  town's 
comon. 

2.  Nine  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  by  Joseph  Parker 
westerly,  and  south  west  by  Jonathan  Morsse,  northeast  a  hye  way 


178  EARLY  RECORDS   OF 

running  thorow  it  by  Jerimy  Morsse's  of  two  polle  wide,  and  on 
all  other  poynts  by  the  town's  comon. 

Reuised,  compared,  and  confirmed  by  the  Sellect  men,  according 
to  the  order  of  the  towne,  Decern.  9,  73. 

John  Morsse. 


THE    LANDS    OF    JACOB    ONGE,    BOTH     VPLAND 
AND    MEADOW. 

Thirty  acres  of  vpland,  more  or  lesse,  envoluing  his  owne  medow 
next  to  Nicolas  Cady  within  it,  bounded  eastsouthwardly  with  the 
lands  of  Joshua  Whitney,  westerly  with  the  lands  of  Nicolas  Cady 
and  pond,  south  with  the  countrey  hyeway,  and  northerly  with  the 
hye  way  that  goe  to  Brownloafe  Playne. 

Reuissed,  compared,  and  confirmed  by  the  Select  men,  according 
to  the  order  of  the  towne. 

John  Morsse,  Clark,  December  11,  1674. 

A  small  persell  of  land,  measured  out  to  Jacob  Ong,  of  about  24 
polle,  by  a  commitee  chusen  by  the  town,  to  wit,  Corporall  Cady, 
Ensigne  Lawrance,  and  Joshua  Whitney ;  which  land  is  bounded 
southerly  by  Joshua  Whitney  and  Samuell  Woods,  and  on  all  other 
poynts  by  the  town's  hye  way. 


THE   LANDS   OF  MATTHIAS   FARNSWORTH. 

1.  Vplands.  His  houselot,  ninty  acres,  more  or  lesse,  lyeing  on 
both  sids  the  mill  hye  way,  bounded  on  the  north  with  the  sidhill 
by  James  his  brook,  westerly  partly  with  Justin  Holden  and  partly 
with  coiSon  land,  south  east  with  the  mill  hye  way. 

The  other  part  of  his  land,  on  the  east  sid  of  the  mill  hyeway, 
bounded  with  lands  of  Simon  Stone  on  the  north  and  east,  and  on 
all  other  poynts  with  the  towne's  comon. 

2.  Sixe  acres  and  a  halfe,  more  or  lesse,  lyeing  on  Indian  Hill, 
bounded  west  with  the  lands  of  Jonathan  Morsse,  and  with  the 
lands  of  John  Cooper  partly  on  the  east  and  comon  land,  the  coun- 
trey hyeway  runing  thorow,  north  with  Thomas  Boyden,  south 
with  the  ends  of  the  other  lots. 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  1/9 

3.  Eighteene  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  west  with  the  mill 
roade,  southeasterly  with  the  lands  of  Daniell  Pearsse,  and  on  all 
other  poynts  with  the  towne's  coifion. 

4.  Seauenty  one  acre,  more  or  lesse,  lyeing  on  the  other  side 
of  the  mill  road,  bounded  east  with  the  mill  road,  west  and  south- 
erly with  the  medowes  of  the  mill  brook,  and  on  all  other  poynts 
with  the  towne's  comon. 

1.  His  Medowes.  In  South  Medow,  fourteen  acres,  more  or 
lesse,  bounded  southeast  with  the  medow  of  William  Longley,  Sen., 
southeast  with  the  medow  of  Daniell  Pearse,  and  on  all  other 
poynts  with  the  town's  comon. 

2.  Sixe  acres,  more  or  lesse,  neare  the  mille,  bounded  southeast 
with  the  medow  of  Simon  Stone,  southwest  with  Jonas  Prescot, 
buting  on  the  southeast  with  theire  owne  vpland,  and  on  the  north 
east  with  the  medow  of  William  Longley,  Sen.,  and  on  all  other 
poynts  with  the  town's  comon. 

3.  Fiue  acres  and  a  halfe,  more  or  lesse,  neare  the  mille,  bounded 
south  east  with  their  owne  vpland,  south  west  with  Jonas  Prescot, 
east  with  the  medow  of  Richard  Blood,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with 
the  town's  coiiion. 

4.  At  Half  Moone  Medow,  two  acres  and  a  halfe,  more  or  lesse, 
runing  vp  to  John  Barron,  butting  vp  on  the  pond,  bounded  south- 
east with  the  land  of  Benjamin  Crispe,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with 
the  town's  comon. 

Reuised,  compared,  and  confirmed  by  the  Sellect  men,  according 
to  the  order  of  the  towne. 

John  Morsse,  Clark,  Decem.  13,  1674. 


The  record  of  y**  landes  granted  to  Mf  Gershom  Hubard,  at  a 
ginrall  town  meeting,  June  29,  1678,  viz. :  All  the  common  land 
that  lye  neare  the  place  wheir  the  old  meeting  house  stood, 
Dunstable  hye  way  runing  thorow  it,  and  the  hye  way  runing  into 
the  captain's  land,  wheir  it  may  be  judged  most  convenient  by 
them  that  are  to  lay  it  out. 

2V  That  peice  of  swamp  and  vpland  that  lye  betwene  Timothy 
Allen,  Joseph  Gilson,  the  hy  way  leading  to  the  hawtree,  and  Leift. 
Lakin's,  and  John  Parish. 


l8o  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

3'?  Three  hundred  acres  taken  out  of  the  comon  land  in  one  or 
two  places,  wheir  it  is  most  convenient  for  him. 

4'/  Fifteene  acres  of  medow,  seaven  acres  giuen  by  particular 
men,  the  other  to  be  made  vp  by  the  rest  of  the  towne  according  to 
their  proportion. 

5'.y  That  he  is  to  haue  out  of  the  comon,  equall  priuiledg  of 
wood,  timber,  and  comonage,  with  the  rest  of  the  inhabitants  of  the 
town  according  as  he  haue  mad. 

Morouer  he  is  to  haue  the  house  that  he  now  liueth  in,  with  all 
the  fornamed  priuiledges,  performing  the  conditions  as  followeth, 
viz. :  If  he  accept  of  y*  call  and  come  to  settle  among  us,  to  be 
y'  towne's  minister,  &  the  churche's  officer,  then  y*  aboue  mentioned 
pticulars  to  be  his,  and  his  forever. 

This  condition  was  consented  to  be  written  by  y'  major  part  of 
y'  Select  men,  evidenced  by  severall  witnesses,  to  be  y*  voat  of  y* 
towne  at  y^  time  aboue  mentioned. 


THE     LANDS     OF    MR.    SAMUELL    WILLARD,    WHICH    IS 
LAYD  OUT   TO  HIM   IN  THE  TOWNE    OF   GROTTEN. 

1.  His  houslot,  fourteene  acres,  more  or  lesse,  lyeing  on  both 
sids  the  hyeway,  leading  from  the  meeting  house  to  the  bay,  sixe 
acres  of  it  on  the  west  sid  of  the  hye  way,  and  bounded  on  the 
north  with  the  lands  of  Cap'.  Parker,  on  the  west  ptly  with  the 
medow  of  M'.  Samuell  Willard,  and  ptly  with  the  medow  of  Jn°. 
Cooper,  on  the  south  with  a  hye  way  that  leadeth  down  to  Broad 
Medow,  and  on  the  east  with  the  hye  way  leading  to  y"  bay. 

2.  On  the  other  sid  of  the  same  hye  way,  eight  acres,  mor  or 
lesse,  beeing  bounded  north  and  east  with  the  lands  of  Josiah  Parker, 
south  with  a  hye  way  that  lead  downe  to  Ensigne  Lawrance's,  west 
with  the  hye  way  goeing  to  the  bay. 

3.  One  hundred  and  twenty  acres  lyeing  in  a  place  coinonly 
called  Vnquetenorset  Woods,  beeing  bounded  north  westerly  with  a 
hyeway  that  goe  to  Dunstable,  east-northerly  with  the  land  of  Cap'. 
James  Parker,  southeasterly  with  the  towne  coiiion  and  of  Zachry 
Sawtell's  medow,  south  westerly  by  the  lands  of  Timothy  Allen, 
west  northerly  with  the  lands  of  Cap*.  James  Parker. 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  l8l 

4.  At  the  south  east  end  of  Brownloaf  Hill,  seaven  acres,  more 
or  lesse,  bounded  west  northerly  with  the  lands  of  Cap'.  James 
Parker,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  comon  lands. 

5.  At  Indian  Hill,  sixe  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  on  the  north 
with  the  lands  of  Nicolas  Cady,  easterly  with  the  lands  of  Justin 
Holden,  on  the  south  with  a  hye  way  coming  by  Jn°.  Barron,  goeing 
toward  the  bay,  westerly  by  the  lands  of  Joseph  Parker,  Sen. 

6.  On  the  other  sid  Nashawag  Riuer,  one  hundred  and  twenty 
acres,  lyeing  on  both  sids  a  litle  brok,  runing  out  of  it  into  Nasha- 
wag Riuer  between  two  ford  wayes,  the  one  called  Jn°.  Page's,  and 
the  other  Thomas  Tarbull,  Jun'''s  ford  way,  this  lyeing  about  a 
quarter  of  a  mille  from  the  riuer.  The  first  corner  tre  is  a  double 
black  oak  at  the  north  east  corner  sufficiently  marked  and  double 
marked  with  a  great  S.  and  W.,  inward  to  his  owne  land,  bounded 
round  with  the  town's  comon,  marked  at  the  corners  with  S.  W., 
and  at  seuerall  trees  with  a  great  W.,  and  sufficiently  marked  with 
runing  markes. 

7.  Twelue  acres  of  entervaill,  more  or  lesse,  on  the  other  sid  of 
Nashawag  Riuer,  bounded  north  with  the  lands  of  Cap'.  James 
Parker,  east  with  the  riuer,  south  with  the  lands  of  William  Eluee, 
west  with  town's  coSion. 

1.  His  Medows.  In  Broad  Medow,  fiue  acres,  more  or  lesse, 
bounded  north  with  the  medow  of  Cap'.  Parker,  on  the  east  by  his 
owne  house  lot,  on  the  south  with  the  medow  of  Jn°.  Cooper,  on  the 
west  with  the  medow  of  Jn°.  Page. 

2.  In  Brown  Loafe  Medow,  eight  acres,  more  or  lesse,  beeing 
bounded  south  westerly  by  the  brook  that  run  thorow  the  medow, 
his  medow  lyeing  all  on  that  sid  the  brok,  bounded  on  all  other 
poynts  by  the  town's  vpland. 

3.  On  the  same  brok,  downe  the  brok,  three  acres,  mor  or  lesse, 
lyeing  on  both  sids  the  brok,  lyeing  in  two  or  three  persels,  bounded 
easterly  by  the  lands  of  Nicolas  Cady,  and  on  all  other  poynts  by 
the  town's  vplands. 

4.  In  Litle  Flagy  Medow,  foure  acres,  mor  or  lesse,  beeing 
bounded  south  with  the  medow  of  Cap'.  Parker  and  Samuell  Dauis, 
and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  comon. 

5.  On  the  south  sid  of  a  hill,  called  Horse  Hill,  neare  Masabeg 
Pond,  two  acres,  mor  or  lesse,  bounded  round  with  the  town's  comon, 


l82  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

with  the  head  of  a  litle  brok  that  run  out  of  it  into  Masabog 
Pond. 

6.  In  Hawtree  Medow,  four  acres,  more  or  lesse,  beeing  bounded 
west  northerly  with  the  medow  of  Jn°.  Nuting,  on  the  east  southerly 
with  the  medow  of  Robert  Blood,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the 
town's  vplands. 

In  Mapell  Medow,  two  acres,  mor  or  less,  bounded  westerly  with 
the  medow  of  Joseph  Parker,  Seni.,  easterly  with  the  town's  vpland. 

Reuised,  compared,  and  confirmed  by  the  Select  men,  according 
to  the  order  of  the  town,  September  29,  1680. 

John  Morsse,  Clark. 


THE  LANDS  OF  JOHN  FARNWORTH. 

1.  Vplands.  Four  acres  of  Justin  Holden,  bounded  northward 
with  the  lands  of  Mathias  ffarnworth,  eastward  with  the  Mill  Road, 
and  on  all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  hyeway  and  coinon. 

2.  Two  acres  of  swamp,  bounded  westward  with  the  medow  of 
Matthias  ffarnworth,  on  the  south  sid  of  Halfe  Moon  Swamp,  and  on 
all  other  poynts  with  the  town's  comon. 

3.  Foure  acres,  more  or  less,  lying  in  two  persells,  two  acres,  a 
pece  of  swamp  land,  lyeing  betwixt  the  pond  at  John  Page's  saw- 
mill and  the  bridg  that  goe  to  Nonicoyacus,  bounded  round  by  the 
town's  coraon  land. 

Reuissed,  compared,  and  confirmed  by  the  Select  men,  according 

to  the  order  of  the  town. 

John  Morss,  Clark,  Decern.  9"',  1680. 


THE  LANDS  OF  CORNELIUS  CHURCH. 

Vplands.  Ten  acres,  more  or  lesse,  adioyning  to  Spedtecle  Pond, 
neare  the  pond  of  Pelleg  Lawrance's,  on  the  east  of  a  ridge  parting 
them,  which  land  containing  two  holle  or  three  of  swampy  medow, 
as  is  described  by  the  markes,  as  they  are  marked  by  the  sides  of 
the  ridges,  which  ridges  are  comon  land,  Spedteckle  Pond  being  on 
the  south,  and  the  ridges  the  bounds  on  all  other  sids. 

[In  the  handwriting  of  John  Morse,  Town  Clerk,  1670-1676,  1680,  1681.J 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  1 83 


THE  LANDS  OF  SAMUELL  CHURCH. 

Vpland  that  lye  bounded  by  the  highway  that  goe  to  Jonathan 
Morsse,  and  bye  the  hye  way  that  goe  into  Pine  Woods,  and  by  the 
buriall  place. 

[In  the  handwriting  of  John  Morse,  Town  Clerk,  1670-1676,  1680, 1681.I 


THE  LANDS   OF  JOHN   COLLES. 

Vpland.  Ten  acres  of  vpland,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  with  the 
lands  of  Jonathan  Crispe  and  Zachery  Sawtell  on  the  east,  with  the 
lands  of  Zachery  Sawtell  and  Joseph  Morsse  on  the  north,  south 
with  coinon  land,  and  west  with  the  riuer,  hauing  a  priuat  hyeway 
runing  thorow  it  to  the  ford  way. 

[In  the  handwriting  of  John  Morse,  Town  Clerk,  1670-1676, 1680, 1681.] 


A  persell  of  land,  of  ten  acres,  mor  or  less,  granted  by  the  town 
to  Nicolos  Hutchin. 

1.  One  acre,  mor  or  lesse,  lyeing  betwixt  South  Medow  and  South 
Brook,  bounded  round  by  the  town's  coinon. 

2.  Two  acres,  mor  or  lesse,  lyeing  on  the  northeast  sid  of  the 
hyeway,  lyeing  vpon  a  swamp  that  runs  to  South  Brook,  bounded 
round  by  the  town's  coffion. 

3.  Sixe  acres,  mor  or  lesse,  lyeing  southeast  of  Sandy  Pond, 
bounded  round  with  the  town's  cofuon. 

[In  the  handwriting  of  John  Morse,  Town  Clerk,  1670-1676,  1680, 1681.] 


THE  LANDS  OF  PELLEG  LAWRANCE. 

1.  Ten  acres,  more  or  lesse,  lyeing  on  the  north  side  of  Sped- 
teckle  Pond,  bounded  on  all  poynts  by  the  towne's  comon. 

2.  Ten  acres,  more  or  lesse,  lyeing  by  the  Cowpond  Medow, 
bounded  east  by  the  lands  of  Nathaniell  Lawrance,  and  on  all  other 
poynts  by  the  town's  cofnon. 


l84  EARLY   RECORDS   OF 

3.  Foure  acres  and  3  quarters,  more  or  lesse,  vpon  which  his 
house  stoode,  formerly  layd  to  Thomas  Boyden,  bounded  southward 
by  the  countrey  hyeway,  westward  by  the  lands  of  Matthias  ffarn- 
warth,  Sen.,  northard  by  Ferney  Medow,  eastward  by  the  hyeway. 

4.  Sixe  acres,  more  or  lesse,  vpon  the  Cowpond  place,  bounded 
on  all  poynts  by  the  town's  comon. 

5.  Thre  acres,  more  or  lesse,  by  the  Cowpond  Medow,  bound- 
ed westerly  by  the  lands  of  Samuell  Holden,  partly  by  the  lands  of 
Ensign  Lawrance,  and  on  all  other  poynts  by  the  town's  comon. 

[In  the  handwriting  of  John  Morse,  Town  Clerk,  1670-1676,  1680, 1681.] 


THE  LANDS   OF   ALEXANDER  ROUSSE. 

1.  Vpland.  Eight  acres,  more  or  lesse,  lyeing  betweene  the  path 
that  goe  to  Sergent  Field  Medow,  and  the  path  that  goe  to  Richard 
Blood's,  bounded  round  by  the  towne's  comon. 

2.  A  swamp,  containing  two  acres,  more  or  lesse,  bounded  round 
by  the  town's  common,  lyeing  betweene  the  uper  end  of  the  gift, 
John  Lakin's  Sledge  and  Reedy  Medow. 

[In  the  handwriting  of  John  Morse,  Town  Clerk,  1670-1676,  1680, 1681.] 


GROTON,   MASSACHUSETTS.  1 85 


The  following  entries,  found  on  a  loose  leaf,  were  omitted, 
by  an  oversight,  in  their  proper  places  :  — 

THE   LANDS   OF   SAM   WOOD. 

Fefteen  acres,  lyeing  vpon  this  sid  the  riuer,  bound  west  with  the 
river,  p-  northerly  with  Jams  Nuten,  and  on  all  other  poynts  with 
towns  comon. 

William  Lakin 
WiLLiM  Green  James  Knap 

29  acres,  mor  or  less,  in  the  pin  woods,  bounded  easterly  with 
Cap'  Parker,  northerly  with  James  blod  and  ptiy  with  the  comon, 
westerly  with  comon  land,  southerly  with  the  land  of  Samuell 
Ceaver,  and  other  land 

William  Lakin 
James  Knap 
[In  the  handwriting  of  John  Morse,  Town  Clerk,  1670-1676,  1680,  1681.] 

THE  LANDS  OF  JOHN  BARRON. 

27  acres,  mor  or  lese,  bouded  north  with  y*  Indian  Hill  medow. 
Six  acres  lye,  bound  west  with  Simon  Stone,  on  the  other  sid  the 
riuer,  40  acres  medow  one  acre  d  half,  more  \unfinished\ 

[In  the  handwriting  of  John  Morse,  Town  Clerk,  1670-76,  1680,  1681.] 


Dabts  Due  from  the  Persons  folowing 

II  d 

James  Parker  11  =  10  =  00 

[Josiajh  Parker  15  =  00  =  00 

Laken  05  =  00  =  00 

Willard  05  =  00  =  00 

Prescot  05  =  00  -  00 

Peleg  Lawranc  05  =  00  -  00 

[Jo]nas  Prescot  02-01-00 

[Wijllam  Longly  00      1 1  -  02 

[Injsin  Lawranc  01  =  17  -  06 

[Ste]ven  holding  00  -  06  -  00 

[Joshua  Whitjny       •  00-03      °° 
[In  the  handwriting  of  Josiah  Parker,  Town  Clerk,  1686-1691.] 


APPENDIX. 


The  following  papers,  with  one  exception,  are  now  printed 
for  the  first  time  from  the  original  documents.  They  are 
closely  connected  with  the  early  history  of  the  town,  and  fur- 
nish some  interesting  facts  in  regard  to  it. .  The  first  docu- 
ment is  found  among  the  Shattuck  Manuscripts  in  the  pos- 
session of  the  New  England  Historic,  Genealogical  Society, 
and  was  originally  published  in  the  Register  of  that  Society 
for  April,  1879  (xxxiii.  209).  All  the  signatures  to  the  peti- 
tion are  in  the  same  handwriting  as  the  body  of  the  docu- 
ment ;  but  those  of  the  committee  signing  the  Report  on  the 
back  of  the  petition  are  autographs.  The  report  itself  is  in 
the  handwriting  of  Joseph  Hills. 


GROTON'S   PETITION. 

Best  :  16  :  3m°  :  1656 

To  the  Right  wo'"  the  Gou/no''  the  wo'"  Deput  Go.'no''  and  Mag- 
istrates with  the  Worthy  Deputies  of  this  Hono'''*  Court 

The  humble  Peticon  of   Certain   the   intended   Inhabitants   of 
Groten, 

Humbly  Sheweth 

That  yo""  Peticon''^  haueing  obtained  theire  Request  of  a  Plan- 
tacon  from  this  honored  Court,  they  haue  made  Entranc  there- 
vppon,  and  do  Resolue  by  the  Gracious  Assistants  of  the  Lord  to 
proceed  in  the  same  (though  the  greatest  Number  of  Peticon''^  for 
the  Grant,  haue  declyned  the  work)  yet  because  of  the  Remoteness 
of  the  place,  &  Considering  how  heavy  and  slowe  it  is  like  to  be 
Carried  an  end  and  with  what  Charge  and  difficultie  it  willbe 
Attended  yo'  Peticon"  humble  Requests  are 


l88  APPENDIX. 


1  That  they  be  not  nominated  or  included  in  the  Country  taxes 
vntill  the  full  end  of  three  years  from  these  p/nts  :  (in  which  time 
they  Account  theire  expenc  will  be  great  to  the  building  a  house, 
procureing  and  maintaining  of  a  minester  &c.  with  all  other  nesses- 
sary  Town  Charges :  they  being  but  few  at  present  left  to  Carry  on 
the  whole  worke)  and  at  the  end  of  the  term,  shall  be  redy  by  gods 
help  to  yeald  thei"^  Rates  according  to  thei'  Number  &  abillitie  & 
what  shall  be  imposed,  vppon  them 

2  'I'hat  they  may  haue  libertie  to  make  Choyce  of  an  other  then 
M'  Danford  for  the  Laying  out  their  town  bounds  because  of  his 
desire  to  be  excused  by  reason  of  his  vrgent  ocations  otherwise,  and 
that  they  be  not  strictly  tyed  to  a  square  forme  in  theire  Line  Lay- 
ing out. 

So  shall  yo""  Peticon",  be  incoridged  in  this  great  work,  and  shall 
as  duty  bindes  pray  for  yo'  happiness  and  thankfully  Rest 

yo'  humble  Servants 
Dean  Winthrop        Richard  Smith 
Dolor  Davis  Robert  Blood 

Will.  Martin  Jno.  Lakin 

Jn°.  Tinker  Amose  Richenson 

The  following  Answer  is  on  the  reverse  of  the  Petition  :  — 

In  Ans.  to  this  Peticofi  wee  Conceiue  it  needfuU  that  the  town  of 
Groton  be  freed  from  Rates  for  three  years  from  the  time  of  their 
Grant  as  is  desired. 

2**  That  they  may  Imploy  any  other  known  Artist  in  the  room 
of  M"^  Danforth  as  need  shall  be. 

3'*  That  the  forme  of  the  Town  may  A  little  varie  from  A  due 
Square  According  to  the  discrecon  of  the  Comitte. 

21.  3'' m°.(56)  Daniel  Gookin 

Joseph  Hills 
John  Wiswall 
The  Deputyes  approue  of  the  returne  of  the  Comittee  in  answer 
to  this  petitio  &  desire  the  Consent  of  o'  hone''^  magists.  hereto. 

William  Torrev  Gierke 
Consented  to  by  the  magists 

Edward  Rawson  Secret^ 

[Endorsed  for  filing  :]   Groten's  Peticon  |  Entrd  &  x*  secured 
p' 8  I  1656 


APPENDIX.  189 


The  following  paper  is  taken  from  a  book  of  records  kept 
by  the  Reverend  John  Fisk,  of  Chelmsford,  and  now  in  the 
possession  of  Mr,  David  Pulsifer,  of  Boston.  The  original 
manuscript  is  written  with  many  abbreviations  and  nonde- 
script characters,  which  it  is  impossible  to  represent  in  type. 
The  extract  now  printed  gives  the  proceedings  of  a  Council 
held  at  Groton  in  order  to  consider  certain  dissensions  which 
probably  grew  out  of  the  settlement  of  Mr.  Willard  as  the 
minister  of  the  town.  The  members  of  the  Council  were 
Major  Simon  Willard,  of  Lancaster,  the  Reverend  Joseph 
Rowlandson,  of  Lancaster,  John  Webb,  sometimes  called  John 
Everett,  of  Chelmsford,  and  the  Reverend  John  Fisk,  of 
Chelmsford. 

1 1  of  1 2  63  Whereas  o""  Brethren  of  Groton  who  re- 

moued  hence  had  desired  o''  Advise,  in  r  [respect  ?]  of  thos  straits 
they  were  driven  vnto,  by  reaso"  of  y^  difference  there.  So  as  they 
could  not  see  how  to  goe  on  with  them  there  in  y"  way  they 
ppounded  about  Ch  work  nor  to  desert  y"  worke  without  sin 
Counsel  to  o'  Br  at  Groto"  on  this  day  (y^  3  brethren  being  with 
us,  &  joyning  in  a  sollemne  day  of  seeking  God,  ptely  upo"  this 
cause)  ptely  bee.  of  y*  gnnl  sicknes  &  cold,  scarce  a  family  or  pso" 
}'  had  not  ben  visited,  &  ptely  upo"  other  occasions,  after  we  had 
concluded  the  day 

y'  Ch  p''sent  (fo'  y^  gnnality)  consulted  together  apte  [apart]  & 
agreed  to  this  following  advise,  w'''^  they  being  called  in  &  declared 
it  to  them,  viz 

1.  (after  so™  manifestations  of  o"^  sympathy  &  compas.  w*  them.) 
That  tho  y"  Ch  would  be  tender  to  them  as  to  y*  Judging  about  y^ 
cause  of  y''  Remoue  fro"  us  \  et  y'  we  would  so  far  remembr  them 
of  y*  same  as  to  wish  them  to  examine  themselves  about  it,  &  to 
looke  over  the  same  again  betweene  God  &  their  owne  souls  least 
there  should  be  any  thing  therein,  whereby  God  might  be  offended 
with  them 

2.  y'  considing  at  such  a  time  as  this,  a  time  of  Temptation  &  a 
time  wherein  the  Advers  :  would  watch  for  them  halting  they  would 
be  exceeding  watchful  least  in  word  or  in  action  they  should  lay 
any  just  scandal  or  offence  before  any  of  them  there :  for  if  they 
should,  we  should  not  be  so  able  to  hold  up  o'  heads  consistently 


190  APPENDIX. 


on  their  behalues,  in  case  we  should  never  so  desire  to  yeeld  them 
o'  Assistance 

3.  y'  seing  o'  Savio'  pnounces  them  plessed  who  are  peacemakers 
&  we  are  exhorted  as  much  as  may  be  to  haue  peace  with  all  Men, 
t.  [that?]  we  advise  them  to  endeavo'  to  appve  themselves  men 
seeking  peace  &  endevo'g  to  keep  peace  with  them  they  had  there 
to  doe  with,  y*  were  of  a  contrary  app'hensio"  so  much  as  possibly 
they  might  with  ye  Truth  &  a  good  Conscience 

4  y*  seing  Conscience  is  a  Tender  thing,  &  to  doe  ought  esp,  in 
&  about  ye  wo'p  of  God  contrary  to  o'  psuasio",  &  when  not  of  faith 
is  sin :  that  t.  [then  ?]  They  doe  take  diligent  care,  not  to  conde- 
scend to  y^  doeng  in  y*  matter  amongst  them,  in  complyance  with 
them  of  a  contrary  psuasio",  to  the  breaking  of  the  peace  of  their 
owne  Consciences. 

5.  y'  In  case  they  cannot  comply  in  ought  with  them  (this  or 
that,  or  whatever  it  is.)  as  concerne  the  worke  of  Gods  house  or 
wo'p.  of  God  that  then  they  rather  doe  sit  &  waite  upo"  God  observ- 
ing &  attending  such  his  pvidences  as  may  open  to  them  in  the  en- 
joym'  of  their  desires,  with  libty  of  their  consciences. 

this  is  the  substance  of  that  counsell  was  dd  [delivered  ?]  to 
them,  or  som  other  variety  of  exp'ns,  by  word  of  mouth,  as  gathered 
up  to  be  the  mind  of  the  Ch.  &  the  same  we  had  discoursed  of  & 
agreed  to  give  them  for  the  p'sent,  manifsting  o'  willingness  to 
afford  them  further  advise  afterward,  as  occasio"  did  reqre. 

10  of  3.      64  A  Counsel  being  called  to  attend  at  Groton 

about  the  differences  there 

There  appeared  vpo"  this  day  at  that  place 

'  Maj'  Willard 
M""  Rowlinson 
M^  Web 
my  selfe 

The  Busines  coited  to  it  was  this :  (by  the  whole  Towne :  it 
being  declared  that  these  were  joyntely  chosen  by  the  sa™) 

That  whereas  by  reaso"  of  some  uncomfortable  differences  that 
had  ben  amongst  them  as  aboute  Church  Governmen'  they  had  been 
hitherto  hindred  from  goeing  on  with  that  worke  of  X  [Christ],  of 
coming  into  a  Church  way  to  enjoy  all  ordinances  amongst  them 
they  Had  now  resolved  to  lay  downe  &  to  bury  all  former  differences 
amongst  them,  &  (had  sent  to  the  psons  aboue  mentioned,  to  be 


APPENDIX.  191 


as  a  counsell  to  them  :  to  w''*'  they)  submitted  themselues  to  them 
to  be  directed,  according  to  the  Rules  of  Gods  word,  in  these  fol- 
lowing pticulars. 

1.  To  consider  whither  there  may  be  found  a  competent  num- 
ber amongst  them,  meetely  qualified  for  the  laying  a  foundation  of  a 
Church  there :  &  In  order  therevnto  to  nolate  such  amongst  them, 
as  may  come  vpon  Tryal  to  that  end. 

2.  To  putt  them  into  that  way  of  Tryal  w''''  is  according  to  the 
word,  as  according  to  w"*"  they  might  satisfy  thems.  one  in  an  other, 
(&  consequently  in  any  others  afterward  as  should  desire  to  joyne 
with  them.) 

3.  To  giue  them  advise  from  the  Rule,  for  the  both  carrying  on 
of  matters  in  that  p'patory  worke,  w*"**  concerns  the  coming  orderly 
into  a  Church  state  together,  &  so  the  after  carrying  on  Church 
worke  according  to  God. 

The  pceedings  of  the  Counsel  in  order  to  the  accompl^'^g  these 
things,  at  that  meeting  was  thus, 

I.  Together  with  the  7.  w"'*  had  ben  by  y*  consent  of  the  whole 
towne  formerly  in  nolation  amongst  thems.  &  had  ben  attempting 
to  an  agreement  about  Church  worke,  but  hindred,  by  their  disagre- 
mnt.  4,  others  were  added  as  to  stand  in  Nolation  :  for  Tryall 

so  as  there  were  now  11.  who  now  come  into  Nolation  viz.  y*  6 
Brethren  amongst  them  in  full  fellowship,  with  mr.  Willard  &  4 
others  of  y*"  towne 

viz  M"^  Willard.  Jam :  Parker.  Jam.  Fiske.  g.  Lawrence,  G.  Salter, 
G.  Martin.  Jo".  Nutting.  W"  Lakin.  Elis  Barnes.  Rich.  Holden. 
Mathias  Fanmouth. 

1.  When  these  were  pitched  upon.  These  names  were  sent  to  the 
whole  company  of  the  Towne,  being  p'^sent  at  a  Tra"ying.  to  be 
ppounded  to  them,  to  see  if  any  of  these  were  under  any  offence 
amongst  them,  or  any  of  them. 

The  Return  was  in  the  Neg. 

2.  These  11.  being  called  before  the  Counsel,  p'sented  themselues 
&  being  Minded  of  the  greatenes  of  yf  worke,  they  were  now  to  at- 
tend aboute,  &  som  other  things  as  referring  to  their  owne  spitual 
comfort  and  peace,  &  the  hono'  of  X  [Christ]  &  of  y'=  Gosp.  were 
desired  to  goe  apte,  &  consider  amongst  themselues  if  they  could 
agree  aboute  a  way  of  their  satisfying  themselues  each  in  other,  as 
to  the  goeing  on  together  in  that  worke  &  in  case  of  agreem'  to 


192  APPENDIX. 


come  to  vs,  &  make  report  of  it,  &  of  the  way  they  had  agreed 
upon. 

in  case  otherwise,  to  let  the  counsel  vnderstand  wherein  they 
dissagreed,  &  the  grounds. 

3.  Vpon  there  Returne,  they  declared  they  had  not  agreed,  nor 
were  like  to  agree. 

upon  wch,  much  agitation  passed  that  Euening  &  with  som  ad- 
vise, they  were  left  to  some  further  consideration  of  the  matter 
betweene  themselueis,  and  to  attend  ag°  together  before  the  Coun- 
sel, next  morning. 

2  Ch.  Vpon  II.  of  3.  64.  In  the  Morning  they  came  before  the 
counsel  ag.  &  made  the  same  report  as  before. 

After  much  debate,  and  advise  ag.  Giuen  vnto  them,  they  being 
sent  out  ag.  together.  Returned  to  us  There  agreem'  in  these  follow- 
ing pticulars. 

1.  That  there  be  a  visible  pfession  made  (by  each  one  vnto  y' 
rest,)  of  his  knowledge  in  all  the  fundam^al  principles  of  the  Chris- 
tian Religion  nay  [necessary  ?]  to  salvation. 

2.  That  each  be  of  an  apprued  conversation. 

3  That  Conviction  of  sin  be  visible  pfessed  together  with  the 
meanes,  and  also  thro  God  hath  holp  the  soule  vnto  a  Christ. 

4  That  all  this  be  heild  forth  either  before  the  whole  Church  (by 
who  eu'  shall  after  joyne  to  the  church  when  once  it  be  gathered) 
or  else  before  the  officer,  &  those  y'  the  Church  shall  depute  to- 
gether with  y^  officer. 

5.  That  none  shalbe  p'ssed  to  give  this  manner  of  satisfaction  be- 
fore the  whole  Congregation  or  Towne  who  is  not  hims.  willing 
therevnto,  but  y'  the  satisfaction  be  taken  onely  before  the  Church. 

These  things  being  thus  comfortably  agreed  vpon,  & 
The  Counsell  being  by  them  desired  either  to  take  Tryal  of  them, 
or  to  afford  there  p'^sence  with  them,  in  there  Tryall  each  of  other. 

The  Counsell  upon  consideration  y'  some  of  them  could  not  stay 
so  long  upon  it,  at  p'sent,  &  y'  the  worke  was  of  Create  weight,  & 
required  deliberation  &c.     Advised,  as  followeth,  in  effect. 

I.  That  these  1 1  doe  set  apte  a  sollemne  day  to  humble  them- 
selues  before  God,  for  there  former  miscarriages,  &  to  entreat  his 
p'sence  with  them  in  the  greate  worke  they  were  aboute. 


APPENDIX.  193 


2.  That  they  together  agree  aboute  the  order  of  pceeding  who  to 
come  vpo"  Tryal  by  the  rest,  i":  &  who  2''  &  so  on,  to  the  last 
man. 

3.  That  they  attend  the  way,  thems :  had  agreed  vpon  with  each 
one,  without  ptiality. 

4.  That  upon  the  day,  they  agree  upon  to  that  worke,  they  (after 
seeking  of  God,)  doe  goe  abt  it  in  the  manner  as  afore  s''  &  if  they 
thinke  good  to  send  to  vs,  &  the  Counsell  would  then  attend  them 
(if  God  will)  at  the  time,  &  afier  y*  is  finished  (as  ye  L  :  may  helpe 
vs)  give  them  som  further  advise  as  occasion  may  req.  [require  ?] 

5.  y'  each  one  submit  hims.  to  y"  satisfaction  of  y^  rest  &  be  will- 
ing to  sit  by  if  y^  rest  be  not  satisfied  with  him. 

6.  y'  in  meane  time  they  acquainte  themselves  familiarly  each 
with  other,  to  see  how  God  may  psuade  them  spits  to  a  mutual 
closure. 


The  following  petition  and  depositions  are  found  among 
the  Shattuck  Manuscripts  of  the  New  England  Historic,  Gene- 
alogical Society. 

To  the  Right  Hondble  the  Goif  and  Councell  sitting  in  Boston 

The  Petition  of  Daniell  Addams  Humbly  sheweth  that  yo'  Peti- 
tione''  went  out  as  a  voluntear :  upon  the  scout  from  Concord  in 
company  with  some  of  Concord  and  some  of  Lancaster  :  and  they 
comeing  to  Grauton  yo""  petitione'  there  killed  an  Indian  :  and  hath 
rec'd  no  wages  from  the  Country  for  any  service  that  he  hath  done : 
notwithstanding  he  hath  beene  oute  upon  the  same  acco'  severall 
times  both  the  Last  sumer  and  the  Last  winter  and  is  now  goeing 
out  againe  under  the  Command  of  Leift  Curtis  : 

Yo"^  Petitione"^  therefore  humbly  requests  the  favo""  of  your  Hono's 
to  consider  the  premises  and  to  grant  him  an  order  to  the  Treasuro*" 
for  his  satisfaction  according  as  the  Law  allows  in  that  case  —  so 
shall  he  be  ever  engaged  to  pray  &c  Daniell  Addams 

[Endorsed]  "The  Petition  of  Daniell  Addams  21  Aprill  1676  " 

Att  Groton  the  T4th  of  march  1676  thire  was  Daniell  Adams  whoe 
was  uary  helpefull  to  the  towne  of  groton  with  somo  thers  of  Lankstar 
and  the  said  Daniell  adams  did  kill  one  Indan  att  M' Willards  garason 

Witness  John  Cadye 
And         Samuel  Woods 


194  APPENDIX. 


we  whoe  see  him  fall  to  the  graund  and  not  Rise  againe 

As  witness  Nickcolass  Cadye 

Samuel!  Woodes  of  Grotten  aged  aboute  forty  yers  of  age  witnis 
that  he  saw  tooe  indens  standing  upon  Captine  parkers  Land  at 
grotten  and  danill  adams  shote  at  tham  and  one  of  tham  falle  doune 
and  the  other  ran  away 

17  :  day  of  2  :  month  :  1676  :  the  mark  T  of  Samuel  Woodes 

Alse  Woods  aged  about  forty  yeares  testifieth  &  saith  ;  that  at 
Grooton  upon  the  day  that  the  moste  of  the  towne  was  burnt  by  the 
Indians ;  she  heard  several!  say  that  Daniell  Adams  had  killed  an 
Indian  ;  and  she  went  vp  presently  into  M'  Willards  Garritt  &  saw 
two  Indians  stand  over  a  dead  Indian  about  halfe  an  hour  then 
they  carried  him  away  &  further  saith  not 

The  mark  O  of  Alse  Woods 


The  following  instrument  is  recorded  in  the  Middlesex 
Registry  of  Deeds  at  East  Cambridge  (ix,  27),  and  appears 
to  have  been  prompted  by  the.  action  of  the  town,  taken  De- 
cember 25,  1683, — as  given  on  page  82  of  this  book.  It  was 
certainly  to  the  credit  of  the  early  settlers  that  they  recog- 
nized the  right  of  the  Indians  to  their  native  land,  and  were 
willing  to  extinguish  it  by  purchase.  This  action  on  their 
part  did  not  make  their  title  to  the  land  any  clearer  in  a 
court  of  law,  but  it  established  a  principle.  During  this 
time  the  impending  fate  of  the  Charter  of  Massachusetts 
was  feared,  if  not  known,  and  the  colonists  thought  that  their 
landed  possessions  might  be  forfeited  to  the  Crown  ;  and  this 
course,  of  buying  the  land  from  the  Indians,  might  give  them 
a  title  rivalling  that  of  the  King. 

By  referring  to  the  proceedings  at  a  town  meeting  held 
June  8,  1702,  as  given  on  page  123  of  this  book,  it  will  be 
seen  that  other  persons  besides  the  committee,  acting  doubt- 
less on  their  own  responsibility,  had  acquired  nominal  rights 
from  the  Indians. 

(Eo  all  people  to  whom  these  p''sents  shall  come  greeting  know  yee 
Indians  to  ^^'  John  Tom  Dublit  &  his  wife  &  their  Eldest  son  little 
Grotton       jame  ffox,  alias  Gasumbitt,  M'  Jacob  alias  Patatuck  all 


APPENDIX.  195 


of  Weymessit  &  Thomas  Waban  of  Natick  all  of  them  Indians  & 
Inhabitants  as  afores'*  and  within  the  Massachusetts  Colony  in  New 
England  for  and  in  consideration  of  the  full  &  just  sum  of  r 
twenty  and  eight  pound  ten  shili.  to  me  well  and  truly  payd  '°''  ^*  ~ '° 
&  security  given  to  them  according  to  lawby  Corporall  John  Page,  Ens : 
Nathaniel  Lawrence  &  John  Parresh  all  of  the  Towne  of  Grotton.  w"'" 
is  to  the  full  satisfaccon  &  content  of  the  afores*^  Indians  and  thereof 
and  of  ever)'^  part  thereof  do  acquitt,  release  and  discharge  y^  s''  John 
Page  &  Nathaniel  Lawrence  &  John  Parresh  &  their  he)Ts  &  Admin- 
istrators for  ever  by  these  p'^sents.  jjalJC  granted,  bargained  &  sold, 
aliened  enfeoffed  &  confirmed,  &  by  these  p'^sents  do  fully, 
freely  clearly  and  absolutely  grant,  bargaine  &  sell,  alien, 
enfeofe  &  confirme  to  the  now  Inhabitants  of  the  Towne  of  Grot- 
ton  af ores'"  and  to  their  heyrs  &  Associates  forever  All  all  that  Pian- 
&  every  part  of  that  Tract  of  land  which  is  called  Grot-  Groton 
ton  plantation  according  to  the  full  Extent  of  the  bounds  thereof,  on 
both  sides  of  Nashaway  River,  as  it  is  granted  to  them  by  the 
hon"^  Gen"  Court  of  the  Massachusetts  Colony  Co 
j)atie  anH  to  doll  the  abovs'^  Tract  of  land  with  all  the 
priviledges  &  appurtenances  to  the  same  apperteyning  or  in  any 
wise  belonging  to  them  the  s""  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Grotton  & 
to  their  heyrs  &  Associates  forever  &  to  their  &  their  only  propper 
use  and  behoofe  And  they  the  s'*  M'  John  Tom  Dublitt  &  his 
wife  and  their  son  the  Eldest  of  them,  little  James  ffox  &  Jacob 
Pataatuck  &  Thomas  Waaban  for  themselvs,  their  heyrs  &  Adminis- 
trators do  covenant,  promise  &  grant  to  and  with  the  afores**  John 
Page,  Nathaniel  Lawrence  &  John  Parresh  (as  Trustees  for  &  in  be- 
halfe  of  the  whole  Inhabitants  of  the  afores''  Towne  of  Grotton)  & 
wiih  their  heyrs  &  Assigns  forever,  that  they  the  s"*  M'  John  Tom 
Dublitt  &  his  wife  &  their  Eldest  son  &  little  James  ffox,  alias 
Gasumbitt  &  Jacob  Patatuck  &  Thomas  Waaban  &  each  of  them 
are  the  true  and  propper  heyrs  of  the  aboues''  Tract  of  land  as  to  all 
manner  of  Indian  Title,  that  either  is  or  may  conceived  to  be. 
And  that  they  have  good  right,  full  powr  &  lawfuU  Authority  the 
p'^mises  to  grant,  bargaine  &  confirme  to  them  the  %^  Inhabitants  of 
Grotton  &  to  their  heyrs,  Associates  &  Assigns  forever.  And  that 
they  the  s''  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Grotton  their  heyrs  Associ- 
ates &  Assigns  forever  shall  and  may  at  all  times  &  from  time  to 
time  forever  hereafter  quietly  and  peaceably  have,  hold,  occupy, 
possess  &  enjoy  the  s'"  whole  Tract  of  land  or  plantation  with  all 


196  APPENDIX. 


the  priviledges,  profitts  &  commodityes  of  the  same  without  the  law- 
full  lett,  hindrance,  Eviction  expulsion,  sute,  molestation  or  denyall 
of  them  the  s^  M'  John  Tom  Dublitt  &  his  wife  &  their  Eldest  son 
little  James  ffox,  Jacob  alias  Patatuck  &  Thomas  Waaban  their 
heyrs  or  Executors,  Administrators  or  Assigns  of  them  or  of  either 
of  them  or  of  any  other  person  or  persons  whatsoever  whither  In- 
dian or  English  claiming  or  having  any  right,  title  or  Interest 
therein  or  thereunto  by  from  or  under  them  or  either  of  them  (as  to 
Indian  Title  of  land)  or  by  any  other  lawfuU  ways  or  means  what- 
soever. 

In  witness  whereof,  the  s''  M'  John  Indian  &  Tom  Dublitt  and 

his  wife  &  their  Eldest  son  little  James  ffox,  Jacob  alias  Patatuck 

&  Thomas  Waaban  have  affixed  their  hands  &  seals 

loth  Janur  1683     ,  ,  .  1        t  r    t  -r        .1  c 

here-unto  this  tenth  day  of  January,  In  the  year  of  oui 
Lord  God  one  thousand  six  hundred  eighty  &  three,  four,  and  in  the 
thirty  and  five  year  of  y*  reigne  of  our  sovereigne  Lord  King 
Charls  the  second 

Read, 

signd, 

sealed 

&  deliverd 

in  y^  presence  of  us 
Tho  :  HiNCHMAN  his  mark  &  scale  -f-  M"^  John  and  scale 

John  ffiske  Tom  0  Dubliti'  his  mark  and  scale 

JONATH.  Danforth  Sen'      his   E  wife  her  mark  &  scale 
James  Brown  little  ^  James  his  mark  &  scale 

James  Rumbly  Marsh       Jacob  8  Patatuck  his  mark  &  scale 
Cap'^  C  Tom  Thomas  Waban  &  scale 

his  marke  Tom  S  Dublitts  son  &  scale 

mark 

Pompequoout,  alias  M"^  John,  Thomas  Neepamimp  alias  Dublitt 
&  Sarah  his  wife.  Pasumbitt,  alias  little  James  fox  &  Petatook  alias 
Jacob  Indians  of  Weymeset  &  Thomas  Waban  Indian  of  Natick, 
acknowledged  the  within  written  Instrument  to  be  their  Act  & 
Deed 

Jan.  II.  i68^ 


Before  Pet  :  Bulkelev  Assis'. 


Recorded.  17.  3.  1684 

by  Tho  :  Danforth.  R. 


APPENDIX.  197 


The   remaining   documents   in   this   Appendix   are   found 
among  the  Shattuck  Manuscripts. 

Groton,  July :  16.  i68g 
To  the  honred  Gouner  and  councell  and  Representiues :  thes 
Lins  shew  the  Request  of  your  humbell  sarunts  the  in  habtants  of 
the  towne  of  groton  and  ouer  presant  unsetled  and  almost  des- 
tracted  conditon  ;  we  mack  bold  to  troubell  you  once  more  ;  crauing 
youer  aduice  and  asistanc  if  it  may  be  obtained  that  we  may  go  on 
with  ouer  bisnes  ;  to  gat  in  our  haruest  and  do  other  nessary  worke  : 
the  barer  heare  of  James  Knop  and  James  Parker  Jun'  are  fuly  abell 
to  aquaint  the  honred  councell  ouer  conditon  boath  in  miletary  & 
other  cases  ;  in  the  towne  ;  ouer  ofesers  are  by  the  new  choice 

James  Parker  sener  cap* 
Jonas  Prescot  Lef 
John  Lacken  ensin. 
W  order  of  the  towne  of  groton 
JosiAH  Parker,  dark 

July.  17.  1689.  The  Comission  offices  nominated  as  above  are 
allowed  &  confirmed  by  y*  Gov'  &  Counsell.  and  they  do  order 
Cap'  Prout  to  deliver  unto  James  Knop  and  James  Parker  for  y? 
use  of  s'}  Town  forty  pounds  of  powder  and  one  hundred  weight  of 
Lead  taking  their  bill  to  repay  it  again  into  ye  stoar  in  some  Con- 
venient time.  &  do  also  appoynt  y^  Major  of  ye  Lowr  Regim'  of 
y'  Comd  to  order  y"  Impressing  of  ten  soldiers  in  a  meet  proportio 
out  of  ye  seu'^all  companyes  under  his  comand.  to  be  sent  as  soone 
as  may  be  for  their  releife. 

By  order  of  ye  Gov'  &  Councill 

Is'*^  Addington,  Sec^y. 

[Endorsed]  Groton  military  Officers. 

Past.  17°  July.  89. 


To  his  Excellency  S''  Williatn  Phips  Knight  Cap"  Generall  and  Gov- 
ernour  in  chiefe  of  their  Maf'"  Province  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay 
in  New  England,  and  Hon"'^  Council  and  Representatives  thereof 
now  assembled  in  Generall  Court  sitting  att  Boston  ffebruary  23'' 
169I 

The  petition  of  John  Paige  of  Groton  for  himself  and  in  behalf  of 
his  son  John   Paige  who  was  a  souldier  under  the  command  of 


198  APPENDIX. 


// 


Major  Wade  in  the  Late  Expedition  to  Canada  against  y'  comon 
enemy 

Humbly  Sheweth  That  yo'  Petitions  son  the  s**  John  Paige  att 
Canada  received  a  Previous  wound  in  his  left  arme,  of  which  after 
his  returne  home  he  lay  lame  und"^  the  Chyrurgeons  hand  for  the 
Space  of  Twelve  months  and  upwards,  before  he  gatt  cure,  and 
ater  he  gatt  cure  was  a  twelve  month  more  before  he  could  doo  or 
performe  any  reasonable  bodily  Labour  to  procure  himself  a  Lively 
hood. 

That  yo'  petition"  sons  cure  came  to  Seaven  pounds  w'''  yo'  Peti- 
tio'  undertooke  the  payment  of  to  the  Chyrurgeon,  and  of  wh**  he 
hath  only  rec**  from  the  country  thirty  shillings,  w'^''  was  soe  much 
allowd  and  ordered  by  the  Comittee  formerly  appointed  to  Inspect 
y'  affaires  of  Canada  wounded  men,  his  Son  being  att  that  time 
under  cure,  but  not  cured  till  a  very  Considerable  time  aft'  and 
soe  had  said  thirty  shillings  allowed  him  for  payment  of  y*  Chyrur- 
geon for  what  he  had  done  to  that  time. 

Now  Forasmuch  as  yo'  Petitio'  hath  formerly  made  Applycation 
to  yo'  Ex'*'  and  this  hon'^  Court  referring  to  y'  premisses  Butt 
nothing  hither  haveing  therein  been  done,  yett  hopes  you  will  not 
deale  by  his  son  worse  than  by  others  of  y^  wounded  men. 

Yo'  Petitio'  Therefore  for  himself  and  in  behalf  of  his  said  son 
humbly  Entreats  yo'  Exc'''  and  this  hon"*  Court  to  take  y*  premisses 
into  consideracon.  and  that  you  will  please  to  allow  and  order  unto 
yo'  petition'  the  remainder  of  s"^  moneys  for  the  cure  of  his  son,  as 
also  that  you  will  please  to  allow  unto  his  son  Such  compensation 
for  the  loss  of  his  time  and  for  payment  of  his  Dyatt  during  the 
continuance  of  his  afores''  lameness,  as  to  yo'  wisdoms  shall  seeme 
most  meet  &  requisite. 

And  yo'  Petition'  as  iij, 

dut^  bound  Shall  ever  pray 

John  Paige 

This  may  certifie  that  John  Paige  Sone  of  the  petition'  was  under 
the  hands  of  me  Jonathan  Prescott  Chyrurgeon  above  a  twelve 
months  time,  and  that  his  cure  pformed  by  me  came  to  seaven 
pounds  Jonathan  Prescott 

voted  that  John  Page  Jun'  son  of  the  Petition'  shall  for  the  payment 
of  the  Chirurgion  and  Dyet  Dureng  the  time  of  his  Cure  Receive 


APPENDIX.  199 


out  of  the  publicque  treasury  of  this  province  Twelve  pounds  de- 
ducting out  of  s^  suiiie  what  he  has  all  ready  Reced :  passed  in  the 
Affirmative  by  the  House  Re.  Nath  :  Byfield  Speaker 

[Endorsed]  John  Paige  of  Groton  his  petition 

1693  27  febr     Vof"  in  Council  £.  12.  to  be  p**  deducting  &c. 


To  the  honourable  his  Majesties  justices  of  the  Court  of  General  Ses- 
sions of  the  Peace  To  be  holden  at  Charlestown  within  and  for  y 
County  of  Middlesex  on  the  Second  Tuseday  of  March  17 17/18 

Whereas  we  the  Subscribers  Selectmen  of  Groton  have  been  In- 
formed that  y^  Town  of  Groton  hath  been  Presented  by  y^  Grand 
Jury  for  want  of  a  School  Master  which  was  to  have  been  ans- 
wered y^  Last  Court  but  the  Presentment  afores**  being  vari- 
ously Construed  it  was  at  Length  ordered  that  y*!  Selectmen  of 
Groton  should  be  apprized  thereof  &  Certify  this  Court  how  many 
families  there  is  in  our  Town  Now  these  are  to  Certify  &  Informe 
Your  honours  that  there  is  not  one  hundred  families  which  are 
Ratable  or  able  To  Contribute  anything  to  y*  Publick  &  we  pre- 
sume the  Grand  Jury  Niver  Intended  a  Grammer  Schoole  by  said 
Presentment.  And  Ever  Since  Said  Court  in  December  Last  we 
have  been  Provided  with  a  Schoole  Master  To  Teach  Children  To 
read  &  Wright  as  the  Law  in  this  Case  provides  &  Directs.  Which 
Premises  being  Considered  we  hope  Groton  Will  be  Discharged 
from  said  Presentment.  We  have  also  appointed  M""  John  Ames 
to  present  this  to  your  honours  To  whom  you  may  Give  Credit 
from  yor  honours  Humble  Serv" 

Simon  Stone  j  ^^^^^^^^^  ^^ 

John  Sheple  )•       ^^^^^^^ 

Jonathan  Boiden  ) 
Richard  Warner 
Joseph  Lakin 


200 


APPENDIX. 


FIRST  PARISH  MEETINGHOUSE,  GROTON. 


"  I  ^HIS  cut  was  taken  from  a  drawing  made  in  the  }'ear  1838,  by 
John  W.  Barber,  and  originally  appeared  in  his  Historical 
Collections  of  Massachusetts.  It  represents  the  First  Parish 
Meetinghouse  before  it  was  remodelled  in  the  year  1839,  at 
which  time  it  was  partially  turned  round,  and  the  north  end 
made  the  front,  facing  the  west.  The  Academy  building,  on  the 
right  of  the  meetinghouse,  was  enlarged  in  the  autumn  of  1846, 
and  subsequently  burned  July  4,  186S.  The  fence  was  built 
around  the  Common  in  front  of  the  meetinghouse,  in  the  au- 
tumn of  1842,  the  last  post  being  placed  at  the  north-west  cor- 
ner on  October  3  of  that  year.  The  trees  within  the  enclosure 
were  set  out  about  the  same  time,  excepting  the  row  of  elms  on 
Main  Street,  which  were  transplanted  in  the  year  1828. 

The  original  sketch  of  this  view  and  the  engraving  are  now 
in  the  possession  of  Bradford  Kingman,  Esq.,  of  Brookline,  Mas- 
sachusetts, to  whom  I  am  indebted  for  the  use  of  the  cut. 


INDEX. 


Pagb 

NAMES    OF  THE    ORIGINAL   PROPRIETORS       ...     55,  56 

NAMES    OF   THE    EARLY   SETTLERS 70 

NAMES   OF    THE    TOWN   CLERKS 132 

APPENDIX 187 


NOTICES    OF  TOWN    CLERKS. 


James  Blanchard 
Richard  Blood  . 
James  Fiske  .  . 
Joseph  Lakin  .  . 
Samuel  Lawrence 
William  Longley 
William  Longley,  Jr 


Page 
114,  1 15,  116 


.         24 

12 

.        128 

5 

15,  96 

106,  113 


John  Morse 27,  57 


Jonathan  Morse 
John  Page    .     . 
James  Parker  . 
JosiAH  Parker 
Jonas  Prescott 
Richard  Sawtell 
Thomas  Tarbell 


Pagb 

■  •  71 
.      .         24 

■  54,  55 
•       93 

103,  115 
,  .  6 
124,  125 


NAMES    OF    PERSONS    HOLDING    LAND-GRANTS. 


Timothy  Allen    .     . 
Ellis  Barron  .     .     . 
John  Barron    .     .    . 
Nicholas  Cady     .     . 
Cornelius  Church   . 
Samuel  Church   .     . 
John  Colles     .     .     . 
Jonathan  Crisp    .     . 
William  Elluee  .     . 
John  Farnsworth     , 
Matthias  Farnsworth 
James  Fiske      .    .     . 
Christopher  Hall  . 
Gershom  Hobart 
Justinian  Holden     . 
Nicholas  Hutchins 
James  Knapp     .    .    . 
Joseph  Lawrence 
Peleg  Lawrence 
William  Martin  .     . 


Page 

165 
185 
168 
182 
183 
183 
152 
169 
182 
178 
161 
144 
179 
173 
183 
164 
172 
183 
'75 


Page 

Daniel  Metup  .... 

.       146 

John  Morse      .... 

172 

Jonathan  Morse  .     .     . 

170 

Joseph  Morse  .... 

177 

Jacob  Onge      .... 

178 

John  Page    

148 

Abraham  Parker     .     . 

171 

James  Parker      .     .     .     . 

153 

Joseph  Parker     .     .     . 

146 

Daniel  Pearse     .     .     . 

167 

Ralph  Reed     .... 

159 

James  Roberts     .     .     . 

160 

Alexander  Rouse    .     . 

184 

Zachary  Sawtell     .     . 

171 

Walter  Skinner      .     . 

143 

Simon  Stone 

174 

Thomas  Tarbell      .     . 

150 

Thomas  Tarbell,  Jr.    . 

176 

Samuel  Willard      .     . 

180 

Samuel  Woods     .     .      16 

7,  185 

y.-^^M'i 


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